Demystifying Aleo snarkVM account structures
Hey there, it’s Nina! Today, we’re diving into the intricate world of Aleo snarkVM and exploring its account structures. Think of these structures like the secret sauce behind a magic trick, making secure interactions and privacy-preserving communications possible. Ready to unveil the secrets? Let’s roll!
Account structure essentials: Aleo snarkVM is like the backstage magician, orchestrating zero-knowledge executions. At the core are the account structures — privatekey, viewkey, and address. These aren’t just keys; they’re the building blocks of secure identities in the Aleo network.
1. Account structure: the account structure lays the foundation for user identity. It’s the keeper of three keys: private_key, view_key, and address. Let’s peek into the magic box:
pub struct Account<N: Network> {
private_key: PrivateKey<N>,
view_key: ViewKey<N>,
address: Address<N>,
}Private key: the private_key is the VIP pass to the magic show, holding the signature secret key (sk_sig) and the pseudorandom function secret key (sk_prf). These keys are like the magician’s wand, generating cryptographic signatures and pseudorandom outputs.
pub struct PrivateKey<N: Network> {
sk_sig: Scalar<N>,
sk_prf: Scalar<N>,
}View key: the view_key is the behind-the-scenes hero, comprising the signature public key (pk_sig) and the signature public randomizer (pr_sig). While not directly involved in signatures, it plays a pivotal role in preserving privacy.
pub struct ViewKey<N: Network> {
pub pk_sig: Group<N>,
pub pr_sig: Group<N>,
}Address: the address is the user’s unique ID in the network. It’s derived from the compute key, ensuring secure identification of users in transactions.
2. Account components: an Aleo account is more than just keys. It’s a powerhouse of functionality. The account private key authorizes transactions, the account view key decrypts records, and the account address facilitates user interaction.
3. Generate Aleo account: let’s get hands-on! To create an Aleo account, we generate an account private key from a randomly sampled seed. This seed is like a special ingredient in a secret recipe.
// Generate a Private Key
// Sample a 32-byte seed from randomness
let seed = random_bytes(32);
let sk_sig = hash_to_scalar(encode_to_f("AleoAccountSignatureSecretKey0") | seed);
let r_sig = hash_to_scalar(encode_to_f("AleoAccountSignatureRandomizer0.0") | seed);
let private_key = (seed, (sk_sig, r_sig));4. Generate view key: the view key is derived from the private key, adding an extra layer of security to the user’s records.
let (sk_sig, r_sig) = private_key;
let view_key = sk_sig + r_sig + hash_to_scalar(sk_sig * G | r_sig * G);5. Generate address: the address is the public face of the account. It’s created from the view key and the magic of the generator G.
let address = view_key * G;Check here:
Advanced topics: for the tech wizards, we delved into prime fields, elliptic curve groups, and hash functions. It’s like understanding the spellbook behind the magic trick.
Offline accounts: sometimes, it’s best to handle sensitive stuff offline. You can create an Aleo account on an isolated machine for added security.
Account commitment outputs: the commitment output ensures the account view key’s validity. It’s a scalar field element derived from the commitment output.
More info you can find here:
Conclusion: and there you have it — a magical tour through Aleo snarkVM Account Structures. We demystified the keys, peeked into the components, and even created our own Aleo account. Now you’re armed with the secrets of secure identities in the Aleo network. Until next time, keep coding your magic!
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Prepared by niniao