Bitcoin #2
Description
Link to the codebase
https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/
Which release/version did you read?
0.1.5. (https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/releases/tag/v0.1.5)
Why it is a good project to read?
- Written by Satoshi Nakamoto!
- First implementation of blockchain. A lot of cryptocurrencies are forked from it.
- Concise - only 9k lines of source files and 6k lines of header files.
- Most of the code is still relevant today.
Starting point
ui.cpp (https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/v0.1.5/ui.cpp). This is where the initialization happens when a bitcoin application starts.
Reading order
- Bitcoin address
- Transaction
- Mining
- P2P network
- Blockchain and consensus
Interesting parts
Almost everything. It was an innovation.
Any parts should be skipped?
- Bitcoin features that were experimental. This includes: using IRC to find peer addresses (in irc.cpp and irc.h), marketplace/product/review (market.cpp and market.h), and sending bitcoins to an IP address. Code related to GUI.
Other tips
- Just get started. Don't try to read a lot of theories about bitcoin before you start. The code is pretty clear. Only look up an unfamiliar concept when needed (like merkel tree).
- Don't be afraid to skip code. For example, the algorithm to select the UTXO is very long but can be safely skipped https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/v0.1.5/main.cpp#L2440). Focus on the concept and workflow.
- Don't try to compile the project because it's a very old release and requires old dependencies too.
Links and resources
- Read the original bitcoin paper and the book Mastering Bitcoin for general knowledge.
- Understanding Bitcoin Source Code. Still a work in progress.