A Systematic Literature Review of Blockchain Technology: Applications Fields, Platforms, and Consensus Protocols
Carlos A. Estrada, Sergio S. Naranjo, Veronica J. Toasa, Sang Guun Yoo · 2023
In the context of today's digital era, blockchain technology has established itself as one of the transformative innovations that pushes the boundaries of data management and security. Given this situation, the present work carries out a systematic literature review of this technology. It examines three essential aspects of the blockchain world. First of all, the various fields of application of this technology are analyzed, which go beyond the field of cryptocurrencies and extend to other industries such as the internet of things, supply chains, health, identity management, business, and much more. Secondly, the most used platforms for the development of blockchain applications are studied, such as Ethereum, Hyperledger Fabric, Solana among others; each platform has its particular characteristics, compatible programming languages and recommended application areas. Finally, an analysis of the consensus protocols is carried out, such as Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, Proof of Authority, RAFT, among others. This literature review provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain, shedding light on its versatility, challenges, and transformative potential in a variety of industries. It offers a solid foundation for those interested in exploring and taking advantage of the blockchain revolution in the 21st century.