Intro

The bSQL language by Blockpoint Systems is a SQL for interfacing with immutable data. bSQL is not a decentralized blockchain, neither is it a traditional database management system. This resource is meant to provide and explanation of "blockchain" in bSQL.

How is this blockchain?

The blockchain storage structure is the foundation of data storage in bSQL. This doesn't change the fact that bSQL is a centralized database management system. All data in bSQL is stored in centralized blockchains within a single machine.

Built-in blockchain storage provides an additional layer of security without compromising data privacy. A blockchain implementation is more secure than traditional systems and provides the following benefits.

• Prevents Illicit Changes from Inside Employees: Users cannot update or delete physical data.
• Detects Illicit Hacker Changes: Blockchain detects changes to data by storing a cryptographic digest.
• Detects Authority Ordered Illicit Changes: MDB digests can be freely distributed publicly. Cover-ups can be detected by comparing the published digest to the current contents.

How do I use the blockchain-ness?

The blockchain aspect of MDB is abstracted from the database user. Every time you read or write blockchain hashes are verified. You can manually validate all hashes by running a CHECK VALIDITY command on the master database.

What are the different kinds of blockchains?

Different bSQL blockchains provide an interface-like method of interfacing with immutable data.
They optimize applications based-off of table / blockchain usage patterns.

• HISTORICAL → Optimized for historical data collection and logging. The historical blockchain is a bare-bone
  ledger optimized for fast insert speeds, large datasets, and non-primary key dependent data.

• HISTORICAL PLUS → Handles primary key dependent data and is optimized for infrequently updated data with inter-blockchain dependencies.

• TRADITIONAL → Provides traditional features such as primary and foreign keys as well as blockchain-specific attributes such as time series selection, validity, and lifetime tracking. This container was designed to manage relational data while providing fast access to mutation history.

• SPARSE → Provides the same functionality as a traditional blockchain but optimizes storage by only storing changed values.

How do I determine which blockchain to use?

The table below illustrates the basic methodology for choosing a blockchain to fit your database needs.