Bitcoin Forum

Is a blockchain just a bunch of code, what infrastructure does it need to be built? I have seen visual representations of blockchains but I haven't actually thought about what they actually look like in real life, does anyone know?

'Blockchain' is a data structure.
You can represent it as a 'chain of blocks'. Or you can explain it like a linked list. But you can not actually 'look at it' in 'real life'.

The bitcoin blockchain is a public ledger which holds records of all transactions made.
These transactions are included into blocks. Each block (within this chain) does refer to the previous block.
Since each block is secured through Proof-of-Work this creates an immutable type of decentralised ledger.

What do you mean "in real life"? It is not some kind of a wild animal, it's just a database, so all the visual representations you've seen must be correct. Each block in the chain contains some data, the hash of the block and the hash of the previous block, that's it.
What kind of data it is, depends on each particular blockchain, for example, in BTC blockchain we have information about transactions: sender, receiver and number of coins sent.

THis is the best visual explanation about the blockchain i have ever seen. I recommend that everyone watches it.

https://anders.com/blockchain/

Anders explains in a very visual way what is a hash, what happens when you hash a block. What happens to that hash when someone alters a transaction. What is a nonce, what is mining.

This is a classic now.

If you're only looking for "visual" version of blockchain and don't want to think about technical details, website such as http://ethviewer.live/ (http://ethviewer.live/) is good enough. But don't forget that each cryptocurrency (or other blockchain project) have different blockchain model/technology.

Keyword such as "blockchain linked list" can give you visual with simple explanation such as this image :
https://blockgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/image5.png

blockchain is just a data structure that can not be changed can only be added only. Each data from this blockchain is connected where if there is a change in one of the data block it will affect the next data.
With this blockchain every transaction from bitcoin is stored in an Open Ledger (Ledger) which is distributed into bitcoin networks.

In real life do you mean the mining machines? You can see photos of Bitmain farm.

https://steemitimages.com/DQmWzWgVTxCiArHp1dVTAFvg53E2DHq7DmLxUfpsXLgDs6T/400x-1.jpg

If you mean a representation of how the blockchain behaves, I think this site is one of the best.
http://ethviewer.live/

Always as curious as ever when I see this question asked to see if anyone has a different visualisation for blockchain... Because it actually is a fairly common question asked from new people I've met. How does it look like?

I always visualised it myself vertically, though, like a high rise chain with new blocks added on top, with forks branching out like branches on a... tree.

The one from Anders Brownworth is new to me (thanks bitmover), will certainly reference it next time I come across the query.