Databases of records called blocks are often touted for their transparency and immutability. But what do these features really mean? If you want to analyze blockchain transactions, you first need to know "what is a block explorer?", and "how to use Block Explorer?"
What is A Block Explorer?
Block Explorer is a key tool in a cryptocurrency and blockchain user's toolbox. Similar to a web browser that allows users to browse web pages, a blockchain or block explorer allows users to navigate a blockchain.
Sometimes referred to in the crypto community as "the Google of crypto and blockchain," Block Explorer allows users to extract key data about crypto transactions such as addresses and fees. Block Explorer is a web application that provides various data from a particular blockchain, usually available online through the web browser.
Each blockchain has its own block explorer
Since each cryptocurrency or blockchain has its own, there are many block explorers out there. In other words, you cannot use the Bitcoin block explorer to track your Ether (ETH) transactions. In order to find a block explorer for a certain cryptocurrency, Google "block explorer" and certain crypto, or simply check for the "explorers" section for the desired crypto on a major website like CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko.
How to Use a Block Explorer?
When you visit a block explorer site, you will likely see the main search bar that enables you to retrieve specific types of information-typically wallet addresses, transaction hashes, and block numbers, though this varies by explorer and by blockchain.
Likewise, the homepage of most block explorers often displays data about the latest transactions and blocks. To view data related to a particular transaction, type the transaction hash or ID into the search bar - this will be given to you by your wallet software when you initiate the transaction.
The block explorer will indicate whether your transaction has been confirmed or if it is still processing. You can also view transactions by looking up the originating wallet address. When searching, be sure to enter the public key address and not the private key address. We do not recommend searching for transactions in blocks that contained transactions, as the block likely contains many other transactions.
It's perhaps helpful to conceptualize a block explorer like a search engine for a blockchain. These useful tools provide insight into every aspect of a blockchain's functioning — from consensus mechanism to transaction history — and are an essential tool in navigating the blockchain ecosystem.
I think, now you get the answer to the questions "what is a block explorer?", and "how to use Block Explorer?".
