Understanding Ethereum’s extended public and private keys
When it comes to digital currencies such as Ethereum, understanding how they work can be difficult, but it is important for anyone who wants to participate in these platforms or trade. In this article, we will go into the one that creates an expanded public and private key on the Ethereum network.
Extended public key (EPC)
The expanded public key is the combination of public keys and blockchain code, which determines how to interact with the Ethereum network. This is basically a “brain” behind wallet software that allows users to store, send and receive Ether (Eth), Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency.
EPC usually consists of three main ingredients:
1
Public Key : This is the unique address associated with your Ethereum purse used to receive the ether.
- Chain Code (or Gas Code) : This is a set of instructions that determine how to do business and interact with the Ethereum network. It is similar to the assembly language code telling an Ethereum computer on how to do special activities, such as sending or receiving funds.
The chain code is written in a programming language called Solidity, used to create smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain.
Extended private key (EPK)
Although the enlarged public key contains both public and private keys, it is not quite clear that the public key is “private”. The private key associated with the EPC is actually a digital signature, also known as
Digital signature algorithm (DSA) or
ECDSA .
For secure communication between wallet software and Ethereum networks use the DSA’s private key. It is generated using cryptographic -safe pseudo -function (CSPRF) such as RSA or elliptical curve cryptography.
In summary, the expanded public key contains both a public key and a chain code, while the associated digital signature is actually a private key used for secure communication.
Main differences between EPK and DPK
To help you better understand this concept, we highlight some main differences:
* Extended Public Key (EPC)
Includes both a public key and a chain code.
*A
Digital Signature (DS) or
Private key (DPK) is a separate entity that is generated using a cryptographic -safe pseudo -function.
In summary, although the enlarged public key is both the public key and the chain code, it is not quite clear that the private key associated with it is “private”. The digital signature, also known as DSK (digital signature key) or
private key
, is a separate entity used for secure communication. I hope this explanation helps to find out the concept of expanded public and private keys to Ethereum!