Figure 2.4: Merkle tree data structure representation

Fork

When the blockchain in a distributed ledger splits into two competing paths

forward, it needs to be resolved by a fork.

It is created when the original code of a blockchain is updated, but only

some of the nodes (computers) on the blockchain accept the update.

Fork types

The three types of the fork are as follows:

Accidental fork

If platform updates are accidentally incompatible with the previous

code, an “accidental fork” occurs. This means that nodes begin using