Docs: Update README.md to be more concise (algorand#6099)

Pcharlesme · web-flow · commit 39f748569a42 · 2024-10-22T15:28:06.000-04:00
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -1,204 +1,173 @@
-| rel/stable <br> [![CircleCI](https://circleci.com/gh/algorand/go-algorand/tree/rel%2Fstable.svg?style=svg)](https://circleci.com/gh/algorand/go-algorand/tree/rel%2Fstable) | rel/beta  <br> [![CircleCI](https://circleci.com/gh/algorand/go-algorand/tree/rel%2Fbeta.svg?style=svg)](https://circleci.com/gh/algorand/go-algorand/tree/rel%2Fbeta) | rel/nightly  <br> [![CircleCI](https://circleci.com/gh/algorand/go-algorand/tree/rel%2Fnightly.svg?style=svg)](https://circleci.com/gh/algorand/go-algorand/tree/rel%2Fnightly) |
-| --- | --- | --- |
 
 # go-algorand
+| **Branch**      | **Build Status** |
+| --------------- | ---------------- |
+| **rel/stable**  | [![CircleCI](https://circleci.com/gh/algorand/go-algorand/tree/rel%2Fstable.svg?style=svg)](https://circleci.com/gh/algorand/go-algorand/tree/rel%2Fstable) |
+| **rel/beta**    | [![CircleCI](https://circleci.com/gh/algorand/go-algorand/tree/rel%2Fbeta.svg?style=svg)](https://circleci.com/gh/algorand/go-algorand/tree/rel%2Fbeta) |
+| **rel/nightly** | [![CircleCI](https://circleci.com/gh/algorand/go-algorand/tree/rel%2Fnightly.svg?style=svg)](https://circleci.com/gh/algorand/go-algorand/tree/rel%2Fnightly) |
 
-Algorand's official implementation in Go.
 
-Algorand is a permissionless, pure proof-of-stake blockchain that delivers
-decentralization, scalability, security, and transaction finality.
+**Algorand's** official implementation in Go.
+
+Algorand is a permissionless, pure proof-of-stake blockchain that delivers decentralization, scalability, security, and transaction finality.
 
 ## Getting Started
 
-Our [developer website][developer site url] has the most up to date information
-about using and installing the Algorand platform.
+Visit our [developer website](https://developer.algorand.org/) for the most up-to-date information about using and installing the Algorand platform.
 
-## Building from source
+## Building from Source
 
-Development is done using the [Go Programming Language](https://golang.org/).
-The version of go is specified in the project's [go.mod](go.mod) file. This document assumes that you have a functioning
-environment setup. If you need assistance setting up an environment please visit
-the [official Go documentation website](https://golang.org/doc/).
+Development is done using the Go Programming Language. The Go version is specified in the project's [go.mod](go.mod) file. This document assumes you have a functioning environment set up. If you need assistance setting up an environment, please visit the [official Go documentation website](https://golang.org/doc/).
 
 ### Linux / OSX
 
-We currently strive to support Debian-based distributions with Ubuntu 20.04
-being our official release target.
-Building on Arch Linux works as well.
-Our core engineering team uses Linux and OSX, so both environments are well
-supported for development.
+We currently strive to support Debian-based distributions, with Ubuntu 20.04 as our official release target. Building on Arch Linux also works well. Our core engineering team uses Linux and OSX, so both environments are well-supported for development.
+
+**OSX Only**: [Homebrew (brew)](https://brew.sh) must be installed before continuing. [Here](https://docs.brew.sh/Installation) are the installation requirements.
 
-OSX only: [Homebrew (brew)](https://brew.sh) must be installed before
-continuing. [Here](https://docs.brew.sh/Installation) are the installation
-requirements.
+### Initial Environment Setup
 
-Initial environment setup:
 ```bash
 git clone https://github.com/algorand/go-algorand
 cd go-algorand
 ./scripts/configure_dev.sh
 ./scripts/buildtools/install_buildtools.sh
 ```
 
-At this point, you are ready to build go-algorand. We use `make` and have a
-number of targets to automate common tasks.
+At this point, you are ready to build go-algorand. We use `make` and have several targets to automate common tasks.
+
+### Build
 
-#### build
 ```bash
 make install
 ```
 
-#### test
+### Test
+
 ```bash
-# unit tests
+# Unit tests
 make test
 
-# integration tests
+# Integration tests
 make integration
 ```
 
-#### style and checks
+### Style and Checks
+
 ```bash
 make fmt
 make lint
 make fix
 make vet
 ```
-or alternatively
+
+Alternatively, run:
+
 ```bash
 make sanity
 ```
 
-### Running a node
+## Running a Node
+
+Once the software is built, you'll find binaries in `${GOPATH}/bin`, and a data directory will be initialized at `~/.algorand`. Start your node with:
+
+```bash
+${GOPATH}/bin/goal node start -d ~/.algorand
+```
 
-Once the software is built you'll find binaries in `${GOPATH}/bin`, and a data
-directory will be initialized at `~/.algorand`. Start your node with
-`${GOPATH}/bin/goal node start -d ~/.algorand`, use `${GOPATH}/bin/carpenter -d
-~/.algorand` to see activity. Refer to the [developer website][developer site
-url] for how to use the different tools.
+Use:
+
+```bash
+${GOPATH}/bin/carpenter -d ~/.algorand
+```
+
+to see activity. Refer to the [developer website](https://developer.algorand.org/) for instructions on using different tools.
+
+### Providing Your Own Data Directory
+
+You can run a node out of other directories than `~/.algorand` and join networks other than mainnet. Just make a new directory and copy the `genesis.json` file for the network into it. For example:
 
-#### Providing your own data directory
-You can run a node out of other directories than `~/.algorand` and join networks
-other than mainnet. Just make a new directory and copy into it the
-`genesis.json` file for the network. For example:
 ```bash
 mkdir ~/testnet_data
 cp installer/genesis/testnet/genesis.json ~/testnet_data/genesis.json
 ${GOPATH}/bin/goal node start -d ~/testnet_data
 ```
-Genesis files for mainnet, testnet, and betanet can be found in
-`installer/genesis/`.
+
+Genesis files for mainnet, testnet, and betanet can be found in `installer/genesis/`.
 
 ## Contributing
 
 Please refer to our [CONTRIBUTING](CONTRIBUTING.md) document.
 
-
 ## Project Layout
 
-`go-algorand` is split into various subsystems containing various packages.
+`go-algorand` is organized into various subsystems and packages:
 
 ### Core
 
 Provides core functionality to the `algod` and `kmd` daemons, as well as other tools and commands:
 
-  - `crypto` contains the cryptographic constructions we're using for hashing,
-    signatures, and VRFs. There are also some Algorand-specific details here
-    about spending keys, protocols keys, one-time-use signing keys, and how they
-    relate to each other.
-  - `config` holds configuration parameters.  These include parameters used
-    locally by the node as well as parameters that must be agreed upon by the
-    protocol.
-  - `data` defines various types used throughout the codebase.
-     - `basics` hold basic types such as MicroAlgos, account data, and
-       addresses.
-     - `account` defines accounts, including "root" accounts (which can
-       spend money) and "participation" accounts (which can participate in
-       the agreement protocol).
-     - `transactions` define transactions that accounts can issue against
-       the Algorand state.  These include standard payments and also
-       participation key registration transactions.
-     - `bookkeeping` defines blocks, which are batches of transactions
-       atomically committed to Algorand.
-     - `pools` implement the transaction pool.  The transaction pool holds
-       transactions seen by a node in memory before they are proposed in a
-       block.
-     - `committee` implements the credentials that authenticate a
-       participating account's membership in the agreement protocol.
-  - `ledger` ([README](ledger/README.md)) contains the Algorand Ledger state
-    machine, which holds the sequence of blocks.  The Ledger executes the state
-    transitions that result from applying these blocks.  It answers queries on
-    blocks (e.g., what transactions were in the last committed block?) and on
-    accounts (e.g., what is my balance?).
-  - `protocol` declares constants used to identify protocol versions, tags for
-    routing network messages, and prefixes for domain separation of
-    cryptographic inputs.  It also implements the canonical encoder.
-  - `network` contains the code for participating in a mesh network based on
-    WebSockets. Maintains connection to some number of peers, (optionally)
-    accepts connections from peers, sends point to point and broadcast messages,
-    and receives messages routing them to various handler code
-    (e.g. agreement/gossip/network.go registers three handlers).
-     - `rpcs` contains the HTTP RPCs used by `algod` processes to query one
-       another.
-  - `agreement` ([README](agreement/README.md)) contains the agreement service,
-    which implements Algorand's Byzantine Agreement protocol.  This protocol
-    allows participating accounts to quickly confirm blocks in a fork-safe
-    manner, provided that sufficient account stake is correctly executing the
-    protocol.
-  - `node` integrates the components above and handles initialization and
-    shutdown.  It provides queries into these components.
+- **crypto**: Contains the cryptographic constructions used for hashing, signatures, and VRFs. It also includes Algorand-specific details about spending keys, protocol keys, one-time-use signing keys, and how they relate to each other.
+- **config**: Holds configuration parameters, including those used locally by the node and those that must be agreed upon by the protocol.
+- **data**: Defines various types used throughout the codebase.
+  - **basics**: Holds basic types such as MicroAlgos, account data, and addresses.
+  - **account**: Defines accounts, including "root" accounts (which can spend money) and "participation" accounts (which can participate in the agreement protocol).
+  - **transactions**: Defines transactions that accounts can issue against the Algorand state, including standard payments and participation key registration transactions.
+  - **bookkeeping**: Defines blocks, which are batches of transactions atomically committed to Algorand.
+  - **pools**: Implements the transaction pool, holding transactions seen by a node in memory before they are proposed in a block.
+  - **committee**: Implements the credentials that authenticate a participating account's membership in the agreement protocol.
+- **ledger** ([README](ledger/README.md)): Contains the Algorand Ledger state machine, which holds the sequence of blocks. The Ledger executes the state transitions resulting from applying these blocks. It answers queries on blocks (e.g., what transactions were in the last committed block?) and on accounts (e.g., what is my balance?).
+- **protocol**: Declares constants used to identify protocol versions, tags for routing network messages, and prefixes for domain separation of cryptographic inputs. It also implements the canonical encoder.
+- **network**: Contains the code for participating in a mesh network based on WebSockets. It maintains connections to some number of peers, (optionally) accepts connections from peers, sends point-to-point and broadcast messages, and receives messages, routing them to various handler code (e.g., agreement/gossip/network.go registers three handlers).
+  - **rpcs**: Contains the HTTP RPCs used by `algod` processes to query one another.
+- **agreement** ([README](agreement/README.md)): Contains the agreement service, which implements Algorand's Byzantine Agreement protocol. This protocol allows participating accounts to quickly confirm blocks in a fork-safe manner, provided that sufficient account stake is correctly executing the protocol.
+- **node**: Integrates the components above and handles initialization and shutdown. It provides queries into these components.
 
 ### Daemon
 
-Contains the two daemons which provide Algorand clients with services:
+Contains the two daemons that provide Algorand clients with services:
 
-  - `daemon/algod` holds the `algod` daemon, which implements a participating
-    node.  `algod` allows a node to participate in the agreement protocol,
-    submit and confirm transactions, and view the state of the Algorand Ledger.
-     - `daemon/algod/api` ([README](daemon/algod/api/README.md)) is the REST
-       interface used for interactions with algod.
-  - `daemon/kmd` ([README](daemon/kmd/README.md)) holds the `kmd` daemon.  This
-    daemon allows a node to sign transactions.  Because `kmd` is separate from
-    `algod`, `kmd` allows a user to sign transactions on an air-gapped computer.
+- **daemon/algod**: Holds the `algod` daemon, which implements a participating node. `algod` allows a node to participate in the agreement protocol, submit and confirm transactions, and view the state of the Algorand Ledger.
+  - **daemon/algod/api** ([README](daemon/algod/api/README.md)): The REST interface used for interactions with `algod`.
+- **daemon/kmd** ([README](daemon/kmd/README.md)): Holds the `kmd` daemon, which allows a node to sign transactions. Since `kmd` is separate from `algod`, it enables a user to sign transactions on an air-gapped computer.
 
 ### Interfacing
 
-Allows developers to interface with the Algorand system:
+Enables developers to interface with the Algorand system:
 
-  - `cmd` holds the primary commands defining entry points into the system.
-     - `cmd/catchupsrv` ([README](cmd/catchupsrv/README.md)) is a tool to
-       assist with processing historic blocks on a new node.
-  - `libgoal` exports a Go interface useful for developers of Algorand clients.
-  - `tools` ([README](tools/README.md)) various tools and utilities without a better place to go.
-  - `tools/debug` holds secondary commands which assist developers during debugging.
-  - `tools/misc` ([README](tools/misc/README.md)) small tools that are sometimes handy in a pinch.
+- **cmd**: Contains the primary commands defining entry points into the system.
+  - **cmd/catchupsrv** ([README](cmd/catchupsrv/README.md)): A tool to assist with processing historic blocks on a new node.
+- **libgoal**: Exports a Go interface useful for developers of Algorand clients.
+- **tools** ([README](tools/README.md)): Various tools and utilities that don’t have a better place to go.
+- **tools/debug**: Holds secondary commands that assist developers during debugging.
+- **tools/misc** ([README](tools/misc/README.md)): Small tools that are handy in a pinch.
 
 ### Deployment
-Help Algorand developers deploy networks of their own:
 
-  - `nodecontrol`
-  - `docker`
-  - `commandandcontrol` ([README](test/commandandcontrol/README.md)) is a tool to
-    automate a network of algod instances.
-  - `components`
-  - `netdeploy`
+Helps Algorand developers deploy networks of their own:
+
+- **nodecontrol**
+- **docker**
+- **commandandcontrol** ([README](test/commandandcontrol/README.md)): A tool to automate a network of `algod` instances.
+- **components**
+- **netdeploy**
 
 ### Utilities
+
 Provides utilities for the various components:
 
-  - `logging` is a wrapper around `logrus`.
-  - `util` contains a variety of utilities, including a codec, a SQLite wrapper,
-    a goroutine pool, a timer interface, node metrics, and more.
+- **logging**: A wrapper around `logrus`.
+- **util**: Contains a variety of utilities, including a codec, a SQLite wrapper, a goroutine pool, a timer interface, node metrics, and more.
 
 ### Test
-`test` ([README](test/README.md)) contains end-to-end tests and utilities for the above components.
 
+- **test** ([README](test/README.md)): Contains end-to-end tests and utilities for the above components.
 
 ## License
+
 [![License: AGPL v3](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-AGPL%20v3-blue.svg)](COPYING)
 
-Please see the [COPYING_FAQ](COPYING_FAQ) for details about how to apply our license.
+Please see the [COPYING_FAQ](COPYING_FAQ) for details on how to apply our license.
 
 Copyright (C) 2019-2024, Algorand Inc.
 
-[developer site url]: https://developer.algorand.org/
