im not sure if this question even makes sense but what is the difference between inline and block. and yes i am a newb so please bear with me

The block is the part of the engine in which the cylinders are contained. Inline is a type of block in which the cylinders are arranged in one straight row. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I'll post one I found.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/63345B16_Block-med.jpg
This is an inline 4 B16 Honda block. The inline 4 part just means there are 4 cylinders arranged in a single row. There are inline engines with other numbers of cylinders as well, they don't necessarily have 4; the Nissan Skyline has an inline 6.

Other types of cylinder arrangements include V type, horizontally opposed, W type, etc.

thnxs...was alot of help