blockchain.py

#!/usr/bin/env python3
# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
"""
Created on Mon Mar  7 21:37:19 2022

@author: sujith
"""

import datetime
import hashlib
import json
from flask import Flask, jsonify

# part 1, building the blockchain


class Blockchain:

    def __init__(self):
        self.chain = []
        # genesis block
        self.create_block(proof=1, previous_hash="0")

    def create_block(self, proof, previous_hash):
        block = {
            'index': len(self.chain) + 1,
            'timestamp': str(datetime.datetime.now()),
            'proof': proof,
            'previous_hash': previous_hash
        }
        self.chain.append(block)
        return block

    def get_previous_block(self):
        return self.chain[-1]

    def proof_of_work(self, previous_proof):
        new_proof = 1
        check_proof = False
        while check_proof is False:
            hash_operation = hashlib.sha256(
                str(new_proof**2 - previous_proof**2).encode()).hexdigest()
            # check if the hash starts with four zeros
            if hash_operation[:4] == '0000':
                check_proof = True
            else:
                new_proof += 1
        return new_proof

    def hash(self, block):
        encoded_block = json.dumps(block, sort_keys=True).encode()
        return hashlib.sha256(encoded_block).hexdigest()

    def is_chain_valid(self, chain):
        previous_block = chain[0]
        block_index = 1
        while block_index < len(chain):
            block = chain[block_index]
            if block['previous_hash'] != self.hash(previous_block):
                return False
            previous_proof = previous_block['proof']
            proof = block['proof']
            hash_operation = hashlib.sha256(
                str(proof**2 - previous_proof**2).encode()).hexdigest()
            if hash_operation[:4] != '0000':
                return False
            previous_block = block
            block_index += 1
        return True


# part 2, mining

# create web app
app = Flask(__name__)

# create blockchain
blockchain = Blockchain()

# mining a new block


@app.route("/mine_block", methods=['GET'])
def mine_block():
    previous_block = blockchain.get_previous_block()
    previous_proof = previous_block['proof']
    proof = blockchain.proof_of_work(previous_proof)
    previous_hash = blockchain.hash(previous_block)
    block = blockchain.create_block(proof, previous_hash)
    response = {'message': 'Congratulations, you just mined a block!',
                'index': block['index'],
                'timestamp': block['timestamp'],
                'proof': block['proof'],
                'previous_hash': block['previous_block']}
    return jsonify(response), 200