What Is a Merkle Tree and How Does It Rely on Hash Function Security?
A Merkle Tree, or hash tree, is a data structure used to efficiently verify the integrity and content of large data sets. It works by repeatedly hashing pairs of nodes until only one root hash remains.
This root hash summarizes all the data below it. Its security entirely depends on the underlying cryptographic hash function's resistance to preimage and collision attacks, ensuring that any unauthorized data change is detectable by a change in the root hash.
Glossar
Root Hash
Derivation ⎊ Root Hash functionality within cryptocurrency systems represents a cryptographic commitment to a Merkle tree’s root, effectively summarizing a potentially vast dataset of transactions into a fixed-size string.
Merkle Tree
Architecture ⎊ A Merkle Tree, within cryptocurrency and derivatives, functions as a cryptographic verification tool, efficiently summarizing and securing large datasets of transaction information.
Merkle Proof
Attestation ⎊ A Merkle Proof, within cryptocurrency and derivative markets, functions as a succinct cryptographic verification of data integrity, enabling efficient validation of transactions without requiring full dataset transmission.
Hash Function
Function ⎊ A hash function is a mathematical algorithm that takes an input of arbitrary size and produces a fixed-size output, known as a hash value or digest.
Unauthorized Data Change
Security ⎊ Any successful unauthorized data change represents a fundamental failure in the cryptographic security measures designed to protect the ledger's immutability.
Tree Structure
Hierarchy ⎊ The Tree Structure in a blockchain context refers to a hierarchical data organization method, such as a Merkle Tree or a Merkle Patricia Trie, where nodes are linked in a parent-child relationship.