blockchain -> linking entries with each other and signing them with cryptographics "referencing the parent entry" so to say

mining -> calculating points along a curve inside a graph utilizing the p != np to increase the time it takes to calculate the next valid hash but verifying it easily

decentral -> not having an owning party but distributed between all users of the currency

smart contracts -> define conditions that allow you to enter your value into the chain / ledger.

that's it at least to my knowledge. The rest is implementation detail. I can give you the math behind bitcoins.

but blockchain != mining != smart contracts

a blockchain is just some interlinked entries who get "crypto-linked" so you cannot forge them.

Let us decouple them in simple terms:

• Blockchain is a technology, just like noSQL database. One can think of it as a singly linked list data structure which keeps on growing as the nodes (blocks) keeps adding up. With few assumptions:
  • The data in the nodes can not be altered once it gets added in the linked list.
  • There is only write and read operation in the singly linked list, no update or delete.
  • The singly linked list is store in a distributed environment, that is across n number of participants. Participants can come and go at anytime, just like torrent network.
  • All the participants in the network shares the same linked list.
  • All the participants in the network can write their node(block) in the linked list, but has to solve a mathematical puzzle before gaining access to write operation.
  • The participant who adds a new node(block) in the linked list(chain) is rewarded.(e.g. in bitcoin network miners get digital currency i.e. bitcoin) .
  • If there happens to be a collision between 2 or more participants for addition of new node(block) which creates a race condition. In such scenario they will keep solving the puzzle for next block to be added. And finally only the linked list(chain) with the longest valid nodes(blocks) all the accepted by all the participants.
  • Thus, the linked list keeps growing and all the participants are happy processing(mining) as they keep getting some reward.
• Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency(A digital currency which has a cryptographic touch on it). Precisely it is an application built using blockchain technology. But funny thing is, it was only after bitcoin implementation(white paper) the blockchain technology came into existence. Thus, being an application it was built for a purpose. And bitcoin is not different, it was built and designed for one purpose only transaction processing between two parties using it's own digital currency. In addition to that, it had few other tweaks to it:
  • The total supply of bitcoin is limited to 21 million.
  • One has to mine to earn new bitcoins.
  • As per current mining puzzle, it takes approximately 10 mins to added a new block in bitcoin blockchain.

Hope, it decoupled to some extent. Besides, if you wanna get it all clear try through this one: anders.com/blockchain

This is my dig at it, blockchain novice here too. :)

Blockchain is a digital ledger database based on distributed network. The database is not managed by any particular body; instead, everyone in the network gets a copy of the whole database. A ledger is a record that keeps track of transactions, put crudely. Bitcoin is merely an implementation of the blockchain technology. Let’s understand this through a practical scenario, let's look at Bitcoin. These are 2 people and they need to transfer money between them. In the current system of payments, this is done with the help of a trusted third party like your bank or PayPal. The blockchain technology eliminates the need for the third party, since the distributed network acts like the third party.

BlockChain = Decentralised DataBase

Decentralised = no central/3rd party where data could potentially be altered. Every node in the network has the same copy of the blockchain.

DataBase = A chain of blocks. Each block has information. This information can be financial based or messages or anything really.

I have written one but in french, when I'll have to translate it, I'll notify you :)