# Harmony Connect Connect is your fast lane to the blockchain. Add blockchain capabilities to any software without needing to wrestle with currencies, wallets, or blockchain nodes. Instead, you get easy read and write access to the Factom blockchain. Connect will also track your data's path to immutability and will notify you along the way. # Getting Credentials There's no need to get credentials to test the Harmony Connect API and create blockchain records and identities. However, if you plan to make heavier use of the API, we recomend registering for a [free Sandbox Blockchain account](https://account.factom.com). # Harmony Basics As you navigate the Factom blockchain, there are a few things you'll come across. Here are some of the most common ones. For more detailed documentation, visit the [Connect Developer Hub](https://docs.harmony.factom.com/). ## Entry A Factom entry is the most basic unit on the Factom blockchain. Entries can be formatted in specific ways in order to broadcast messages or create proof for blockchain applications. ### Schema

Name	Type	Description
entry_hash	string	The unique identitfier of the entry.
chain	object	An object that contains the Chain Hash (ID) as well as a URL for the chain.
created_at	string	The time when this entry was created. Sent in [ISO 8601 Format](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_8601). For example: `YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss.ssssssZ`
external_ids	string array	Tags that can be used to identify your entry. You can search for records that contain a particular `external_id` using Connect. External IDs are returned in Base64.
content	string	This is the data that is stored by the entry. Content will be sent in Base64 format.
stage	string	The level of immutability that this entry has reached.
dblock	object	Represents the Directory Block that relates to this entry. This will be null if the chain is not at least at the `factom` immutability stage.
eblock	object	Represents the Entry Block that contains the entry. This will be null if the entry is not at least at the `factom` immutability stage.

## Chain A chain is a collection of Factom entries, listed in the order of their creation time. Each entry in a chain is connected to the previous entries via a cryptographic hash. Like entries, chains can be customized in order to be used in specific blockchain applications. Every chain also has a unique Chain ID based on the parameters of the first entry. ### Schema

Name	Type	Description
chain_id	string	This is the unique identifier created for each chain.
content	string	This is the data that was stored in the first entry of this chain.
external_ids	string array	Tags that have been used to identify this entry.
stage	string	The immutability stage that this chain has reached.
entries	object	An API link to all of the entries in this chain.
eblock	object	Represents the Entry Block that contains the first entry of this chain. This will be null if the chain is not at least at the `factom` immutability stage.
dblock	object	Represents the Directory Block that relates to this chain. This will be null if the chain is not at least at the `factom` immutability stage.
created_at	string	The time at which this chain was created. Sent in [ISO 8601 Format](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_8601). For example: `YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss.ssssssZ`. This will be null if the chain is not at least at the `factom` immutability stage.

## Identity A Factom Identity is a specific type of chain that represents a digital agent. This allows a person or a device to authenticate data that has been published to this or other blockchains. Like other chains, Identities are made up of entries. Each one indicates an action taken that updates the status of the Identity. ### Schema

Name	Type	Description
version	string	The Identity Chain’s schema version. This details the format of this digital identity.
stage	string	The immutability stage that this chain has reached. The identity can be considered in use once it reaches the `factom` stage.
created_height	integer	The block height at which this chain was written into the Factom blockchain. This is `null` if the chain has not reached the `factom` stage.
chain_id	string	The Chain ID for this identity chain.
name	string	A unique array of strings that are associated with this identity.
active_keys	object array	Contains the currently active public keys for this identity.
all_keys_href	string	An API link to retrieve the keys for this identity.

# More Information For a full guide to using the Harmony Connect API as well as more information about the Factom blockchain and protocols, check out the [Connect Developer Hub](https://docs.harmony.factom.com/)! You can also access our support channels as well as our community forum.