What kind of data can be stored on the blockchain ?

[rockie87]

I know that a block comprises of transaction hashes but what if I want to make my business data completely available on the blockchain. What are the types of data that can be stored on the blockchain ? I did research on google but I didn't get the answer I needed which is why I have posted it here.
Can a blockchain store everything that a normal database can  ?

[pebwindkraft]

For the bitcoin blockchain, the short answer is „no“

There are two common approaches to store data, one is with OP_RETURN, allowing for 40 bytes to store in a transaction, and then one can create a P2SH transaction, allowing for roughly 500 Bytes.
As you can see, the amounts of data are not too big, and each transaction has costs (fees), so it doesn‘t make sense.
I recommend to have a look at SIA or STORJ, to store large amount of data (files),or even at factum. The first two create hashes of a data set, that are stored. And Factum is to prove, that a set of documents exists. You find the details and n there webpages...
A similar discussion just happened here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=4554177.0

[shield132]

I know that a block comprises of transaction hashes but what if I want to make my business data completely available on the blockchain. What are the types of data that can be stored on the blockchain ? I did research on google but I didn't get the answer I needed which is why I have posted it here.
Can a blockchain store everything that a normal database can  ?

If you want to make your business very transparent, then there is a time of integrating blockchain technologies. It's like uploading datas in different places.
For example I can take Georgia, they integrated blockchain land titling with the help of Bitfury. In this situation there is an extra layer of protection because there is no central point of failure.
Also there was an idea from our amazing member to use blockchain for gold and aids. This will help us to get rid of illegal aid sells and gold falcification because all of them will have data. His idea is that every piece of gold will carry digital signature which will be tracked as crypto assets on blockchain.

[yohan09]

I know that a block comprises of transaction hashes but what if I want to make my business data completely available on the blockchain. What are the types of data that can be stored on the blockchain ? I did research on google but I didn't get the answer I needed which is why I have posted it here.
Can a blockchain store everything that a normal database can  ?

Blockchain is not exactly a database, in which you can store everything. One of the important things you should remember about storing data in the blockchain, is that there is no "D" in "CRUD" operations, Which means, what goes into your blockchain stays in the blockchain, There is no way for you to tamper it or delete it once it is written. Blockchain is more like time, Once something is written you cannot go back and alter it. No matter how sensitive the data is to your business.

[Artisanal Miner]

Lots of people thinks that Blockchain is a database, actually its not. Blockchain is a digital ledger where any transaction can be processed related to Finance, Medical, and any field which include value, these processed data are transparent, a platform once it is processed can't be reversed at any cost.

check this link might be this is also useful for you.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2472787.0

[bob123]

Lots of people thinks that Blockchain is a database, actually its not. Blockchain is a digital ledger where any transaction can be processed related to Finance, Medical, and any field which include value

Actually, a blockchain is a data structure.
It is, in bitcoins case, a public ledger. But it doesn't have to be (1) public, neither does it have to be a (2) ledger.

The basic idea behind the blockchain is to create an immutable structure of 'blocks' refering to the previous one, creating a 'chain'.
What kind of data is going to be stored inside of a blockchain, is completely up to the application utilizing this technology.

[hasmukh_rawal]

Lots of people thinks that Blockchain is a database, actually its not. Blockchain is a digital ledger where any transaction can be processed related to Finance, Medical, and any field which include value

Actually, a blockchain is a data structure.
It is, in bitcoins case, a public ledger. But it doesn't have to be (1) public, neither does it have to be a (2) ledger.

The basic idea behind the blockchain is to create an immutable structure of 'blocks' refering to the previous one, creating a 'chain'.
What kind of data is going to be stored inside of a blockchain, is completely up to the application utilizing this technology.

Yes that's true. Adding to it, it depends from blockchain to blockchain as to what type of data we can feed into the blocks.
I have read somewhere that a blockchain can contain any type of file but it will be in a hexadecimal format. Hence the hashes will be then added to the blocks. Also, the blockchain was introduced to make payments efficiently and hence it is not recommended, though possible, to enter other type of data into the blockchain except transactions.

[fudster]

Blockchain is full of data that's what it is either you call it a list of transactions or ledger its gonna be considered a database that you can check for reference.

It all depend to the kind of project to develop so it can be used for storage of data, I think SIA has this property I'm unsure about this as I'm not very much aware of the project but to may knowledge we can always increase the size of a block so you can put more information in there. I think there was a blockchain project related to a Chat/Email APP about this where users can send messages using the blockchain.

[insculpt]

I know that a block comprises of transaction hashes but what if I want to make my business data completely available on the blockchain. What are the types of data that can be stored on the blockchain ? I did research on google but I didn't get the answer I needed which is why I have posted it here.
Can a blockchain store everything that a normal database can  ?

Blockchain is not exactly a database, in which you can store everything. One of the important things you should remember about storing data in the blockchain, is that there is no "D" in "CRUD" operations, Which means, what goes into your blockchain stays in the blockchain, There is no way for you to tamper it or delete it once it is written. Blockchain is more like time, Once something is written you cannot go back and alter it. No matter how sensitive the data is to your business.

I completely agree with you, but I think the OP just wants to know if he can use a blockchain to store any form of data. I believe the answer is that blockchain technology can be used to store any form of digital data but of course each time that data has to be accessed, it's a transaction and it costs money and network resources. The larger the data stored, the larger the transactions and ultimately the longer it takes for each transaction to complete. I'm pretty sure there are solutions and my small mind (for now) can't provide a good enough answer.

[Hiltohen]

I know that a block comprises of transaction hashes but what if I want to make my business data completely available on the blockchain. What are the types of data that can be stored on the blockchain ? I did research on google but I didn't get the answer I needed which is why I have posted it here.
Can a blockchain store everything that a normal database can  ?

You're wrong you can never store your data in block chain. You're thinking its a data base which can we re-write but you're totally wrong. Need to clarify it.

[SixOfFive]

I know that a block comprises of transaction hashes but what if I want to make my business data completely available on the blockchain. What are the types of data that can be stored on the blockchain ? I did research on google but I didn't get the answer I needed which is why I have posted it here.
Can a blockchain store everything that a normal database can  ?

Blockchain is not any sort of database on which you can store any data. The most important thing I like to tell is that once you store any data on a blockchain you cannot alter it or delete it. That will stay in blockchain forever in its original form no matter how important it is for your business to delete or tamper it. Therefore think about it before entering any data as there is no point for regretting about it afterwards.

[amaclin1]

There are two common approaches to store data, one is with OP_RETURN, allowing for 40 bytes to store in a transaction, and then one can create a P2SH transaction, allowing for roughly 500 Bytes.

What about segwit part? 

[pebwindkraft]

There are two common approaches to store data, one is with OP_RETURN, allowing for 40 bytes to store in a transaction, and then one can create a P2SH transaction, allowing for roughly 500 Bytes.

What about segwit part? 

ugh, yes! Obviously this is a "not so common  " approach for me 
And I mean I even read, that OP_RETURN was changed to an 80 Byte limit, but I don't know where we are right now...

[amaclin1]

And I mean I even read, that OP_RETURN was changed to an 80 Byte limit, but I don't know where we are right now...

We are here today:
https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/master/src/script/standard.h#L30-L34
however this is the policy, not consensus

[BitcoinMyBlood]

Lots of people thinks that Blockchain is a database, actually its not. Blockchain is a digital ledger where any transaction can be processed related to Finance, Medical, and any field which include value, these processed data are transparent, a platform once it is processed can't be reversed at any cost.

check this link might be this is also useful for you.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2472787.0

You're not the only one who think the same most of people in this forum are thinking the same way but let me remind them blockchain isn't a database.Once you put something inside on it you'll never able to re-write it.

[Ucy]

It should be possible to store hash of a file on Blockchain and at thesame time decentralizing the file on multiple storages that are spread globally. The decentralization would help beat censorship while the file hash makes it immutable.

[heroson]

Blockchain is not  database but a ledger of your transactions.So, look after the other data storing methods like OP, SIA , etc.

[Evil-Knievel]

For the bitcoin blockchain, the short answer is „no“

Umm ... 
Actually, you can! The short answer is "yes"!

There are two common approaches to store data, one is with OP_RETURN, allowing for 40 bytes to store in a transaction, and then one can create a P2SH transaction, allowing for roughly 500 Bytes.
As you can see, the amounts of data are not too big, and each transaction has costs (fees), so it doesn‘t make sense.

Well, you can split your data among multiple OP_RETURNs. Just because it does not make any sense (which I think is highly use-case specific), does not make it impossible.

[Evil-Knievel]

Blockchain is not exactly a database, in which you can store everything.

Actually, I can store everything there perfectly fine. I can store a database, pictures, movies, my CV, my medical records, my favourite music database, ...

[Evil-Knievel]

I have read somewhere that a blockchain can contain any type of file but it will be in a hexadecimal format.

No, you can store any binary data of any length.