The Nonce number in the blockchain is a random number that miners change in the block mining process. The purpose of this change and recalculation of the block hash is to obtain a soup with a specific pattern that satisfies the conditions of the proof-of-work equation. This process requires time-consuming computational effort, and due to its random nature, it requires high computing power.
This number in the blockchain is used to create network security and prevent unauthorized changes in blocks. With even a small change in this number, the block’s hash changes completely, and to change a previous block, it is necessary to change the Nonce number and recalculate the block’s hash, which requires a lot of computing power.
This number in the blockchain is an essential variable with multiple applications. In this article, we will discuss in detail what the Nonce number is, what it is in blockchain, and its other uses. So stay with us until the end of this article.
What is a Nonce number?
This number is a cryptographic concept used in various fields, including public key cryptography, block ciphers, and blockchain networks. The nonce is also used in blockchain networks to create a unique hash in the block mining.
Miners (blockchain miners) have to solve complex mathematical equations by finding a valid nonce to add a new block to the blockchain. This process is called Proof-of-Work, a secure way to achieve agreement between participants in the blockchain network.
It is a random and unique number that is created temporarily and randomly. This number was designed for specific purposes, and the term “Nonce” is an abbreviation of the phrase “Number Used Once,” which means using the number once.
This number is used in block encryption to create a random input or label in encryption processes. For example, when encrypting a message using the AES algorithm, the nonce is used as part of the input (as a tag) to encrypt the block. By doing this, a different output is obtained each time a message is decrypted using the block encryption key.
What is the Nonce number in blockchain?
This number is used in blockchain networks in blocks. Each block in a blockchain network has a hash, which results from a hashing operation that affects the data of each block. To create a unique hash and verify the block, miners must solve complex mathematical equations.
These equations are also known as Proof-of-Work Equations. The miners’ task is to find the solution to the equation and decipher the equation. In summary, this equation includes the hash data of the current block, the hash of the previous block, and the Nonce number. The miners’ goal is to change the number and solve the equation by changing it repeatedly to reach the hash they want.
For example, in Bitcoin, the proof-of-work equation uses a mining algorithm called Proof-of-Work (PoW) to extract blocks. Miners must change the number so that the hash of the block produced by them, which includes the previous block’s hash and the current block’s data, meets certain conditions. These conditions include having several zeros at the beginning of the soup, known as mining difficulty.
By changing the Nonce number and repeating the solution of the proof-of-work equation, miners gradually reach the desired hash and create a new block. As a reward for solving the equation and starting a new partnership, the victorious miner receives an amount of the network’s currency unit (e.g., Bitcoin).
Using the Nonce number, the process of extracting blocks in the blockchain network can be adjusted, and network security is ensured. Creating a unique hash and finding the solution to the equation is very time-consuming and requires high computing power.
Nonce applications in blockchain
The Nonce number has various uses in the blockchain, some of which we have mentioned below:
1. Block mining: In blockchain networks based on proof-of-work algorithms (Proof-of-Work) such as Bitcoin, miners need to solve complex equations to mine new blocks. The Nonce number is used here so that miners, by changing it, produce the block hash so that it meets certain conditions. This process requires high computational effort and the use of solid computing power.
2. Authentication and digital signature: In blockchain, a Nonce number can be used in authentication and digital signature processes. For example, a digital signature is generated based on a Nonce number to ensure information security in Public Key Cryptography.
3. Maintaining the uniqueness of the block: each block in the blockchain network has its hash. The block hash also changes by changing the Nonce number in the block extraction process. This preserves the uniqueness of the block Because even a tiny change in the Nonce number leads to the production of a new and different hash.
4. Preventing changes in previous blocks: In blockchain, blocks are connected continuously, and a change in a block causes a shift in the hashes of subsequent blocks. The Nonce number is used so that changing one block and all subsequent blocks does not take time and calculations.
5. Resistance to attacks: Using the Nonce number and proof-of-work algorithm in extracting blocks gives more security to the blockchain network. This method of creating a unique hash and the mining difficulty, controlled by the Nonce number, allows the network to resist intrusion attacks and unwanted changes.
In general, the Nonce number in the blockchain is used in many security and functional aspects of this technology. It helps maintain block network security’s uniqueness and prevent unwanted changes.
How do you find the Nonce number in the blockchain?
As we said before, miners must solve the Proof-of-Work Equation to find the Nonce number in the blockchain. This process is almost infinite and requires a very high computational effort. In the following, we have explained the process of finding the Nonce number in the blockchain in general:
1. Block data: The miner has the data of the previous block and the data of the current block to mine the new partnership. This data includes previous block hash, transactions, block creation time, and other related information.
2. Changing the Nonce number: The miner randomly changes this number and applies it to the hash data of the block and the Nonce number, that is, to the proof-of-work equation.
3. Hash calculation: The miner calculates the new block’s hash using a hash algorithm (e.g., SHA-256 algorithm in Bitcoin).
4. Check for particular conditions: The calculated block hash checks the new block to verify that special needs are met. This condition, for example, in Bitcoin includes several zeros at the beginning of the soup, known as Mining Difficulty.
5. Retrying: If the special conditions mentioned earlier are not met, the miner must change the Nonce number again and repeat steps 2 to 4. This process will continue until a suitable Nonce number meets certain conditions.
6. Finding a successful Nonce number: When a suitable Nonce number is found, and the new block’s hash meets certain conditions, the miner will send this block to the network and benefit from the mining prize (e.g., Bitcoin) as a reward for discovering the successful Nonce number.
Finding the Nonce number in the blockchain is a process of computational effort, requires high computing power, and is time-consuming. By repeating this process, miners randomly and gradually reach the desired Nonce number to extract the new block and add it to the blockchain network.
Where is the Nonce number?
The Nonce number in the blockchain is placed in the block structure. In each block, the Nonce number is inserted as one of the fields. The system of a block in the blockchain usually includes the following information:
1. Previous Block Hash: A hash value that points to the previous block in the network and establishes communication between blocks.
2. Transaction Data: A list of transactions in the new block.
3. Block creation time (Timestamp): When the block was created.
4. Nonce number: the number that the miner must change to extract the block to meet certain conditions and create the new block’s hash.
5. Block hash (Block Hash): The result of the hash operation on all block data, which includes the previous block, transaction data, block creation time, and Nonce number.
Conclusion
In this article, we tried to talk about the Nonce number, which is a random number, and the miners change it in the block extraction process to solve the proof-of-work equation in the blockchain. Then we talked about the Nonce number’s functions, which include block mining, authentication, digital signature, preventing hacker attacks, etc. Finally, we examined how to find the Nonce number and how to use it.