Immutable Binary Tree using Functional Programming
Overview
Implemented an immutable binary search tree using functional programming principles in Java. The implementation includes a hash chain construction and Merkle tree functionality to compute and return a Merkle root, demonstrating core concepts used in blockchain technology.
Key Features
- Immutable Data Structure: Created a truly immutable binary search tree where operations produce new trees without modifying existing ones
- Functional Programming Approach: Used pure functions and avoided side effects
- Hash Chain Implementation: Integrated cryptographic hash functions to create verifiable chains of nodes
- Merkle Root Generation: Computed a single hash value representing the entire tree structure
- Performance Optimization: Maintained efficiency despite immutability constraints
Technical Details
- Tree Operations: Implemented standard operations (insert, delete, search, traverse) maintaining immutability
- Hash Function: Utilized cryptographic hash functions for node identification
- Merkle Tree Algorithm: Built a complete implementation of Merkle tree generation
- Verification Mechanism: Created methods to verify data integrity using the Merkle root
Applications
This project demonstrates concepts relevant to:
- Blockchain technology
- Distributed ledger systems
- Version control systems
- Functional data structures
- Concurrent programming
Technologies Used
- Java
- Functional Programming Paradigms
- Cryptographic Hashing
- Binary Tree Algorithms
GitHub Repository
View the source code and documentation on GitHub.
Project Timeline
December 2020
Learning Outcomes
- Applied functional programming principles to data structure implementation
- Gained understanding of immutability benefits for concurrent systems
- Learned practical applications of Merkle trees and hash chains
- Developed skills in creating efficient immutable data structures
Contact
For more information about this project or to discuss functional programming concepts, please contact me.