What is a Block Explorer?
A Block Explorer is an application that allows users to view and query data stored on the BitcoinSV ledger and network.
Typically accessed through a web browser, Block Explorers allow users to view details of Bitcoin blocks, transactions and addresses. Their primary function is to allow users to track network activity in real-time.
Real time information on both blocks and transactions is typically provided in addition to other information such as the history of a given Bitcoin address or a list of transactions containing particular metadata.
The explorer provides data on all blocks that have been added to the ledger, and are usually updated within seconds of a valid block being discovered. This data shows:
- Block height: Number of blocks since the Bitcoin Genesis block was mined
- Age: Elapsed time between now and the timestamp that indicates when the block was discovered
- Transaction Count: number of transactions included in the block
- Fees: Aggregate value of all Transaction fees paid to the miner by users
- Reward: Total miner reward including transaction fees and block subsidy
- Mined by: Identity of the miner or mining pool who's node mined this block
- Size: Size of the block as obtained by adding the sizes of each transactions included in the block
The main function of block explorers is to allow users to search for data in the Bitcoin ledger and block chain. This is typically performed using a search tool.
Typical search functions include:
- Transaction hash or TXID
- Block height
- Block hash
- Bitcoin address
- Transaction metadata
Typically, the explorer responds to a search with a page containing all the details about the subject of a search request.
Examples of Bitcoin Block Explorers
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