"Zero-Knowledge Proofs", Principles and Practice provides a comprehensive and accessible pathway into one of the most transformative technologies in modern computer science. It systematically demystifies the principles of proving knowledge without revealing it, guiding readers from foundational theory to hands-on implementation of real-world, privacy-preserving systems. The book is uniquely structured to serve as both a university textbook and a practical guide for developers. It adheres to the outcome-based education model while its modular and in-depth coverage makes it a suitable resource for undergraduate (B.Tech) and postgraduate (M.Tech) computer science courses globally. It bridges the gap between dense academic papers and sparse online tutorials, offering a single, coherent source of truth for both beginners and advanced learners. The core philosophy of this book is "learning by doing." Complex mathematical and cryptographic concepts are explained using simple analogies and step-by-step examples. Each theoretical chapter is followed by practical insights, leading up to a full-fledged capstone project that allows readers to apply their accumulated knowledge to build a meaningful application. Key Features: 1. Beginner to Advanced Trajectory: The book begins with basic definitions and cryptographic principles, progressively building up to advanced protocols like zk-STARKs and PLONK, and their applications in cutting-edge fields like ZK-ML. 2. Hands-On Practicals: Dedicated chapters on programming ZKPs using popular frameworks like Circom and ZoKrates, complete with code snippets and guided exercises. 3. Real-World Case Studies: In-depth analysis of how ZKPs are used in blockchain (Zcash), decentralized finance (DeFi), digital identity, secure voting, and compliance verification. 4. Complete Capstone Project: A final chapter dedicated to building a live, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project—a decentralized anonymous voting system—with full working code and a step-by-step implementation guide. 5. Simple and Clear Explanations: Focus on intuitive understanding over jargon, using diagrams, analogies, and the simplest possible examples to explain complex topics. 6. Holistic Coverage: Each topic includes discussions on its design, architecture, operational flow, advantages, and limitations, providing a 360-degree view. Disclaimer: Earnest request from the Author. Kindly go through the table of contents and refer kindle edition for a glance on the related contents. Thank you for your kind consideration!
