Mechanics of Bitcoin
Bitcoin Transactions
•Introduction:
In Bitcoin, transactions are the core mechanism for
transferring value.
Each transaction is recorded in a distributed ledger known
as the blockchain.
•Model of Transactions:
Unlike traditional banking, Bitcoin uses a decentralized
ledger.
Each transaction moves "coins" from one party to another,
recorded in a simplified, secure ledger
Bitcoin Transaction Structure
Transactions are made up of:
•Inputs: Refer to previous transactions to define the
source of funds.
•Outputs: Define the recipients of funds.
•Signatures: Ensure that only authorized users can
spend the funds.
These components work together to secure
transactions and prevent double-spending.
Key Components in a Bitcoin
Transaction
•Inputs:
Each input in a transaction points to a previous transaction output, ensuring secure transfer.
•Outputs:
Specifies the recipients of Bitcoin, effectively transferring ownership.
•Signatures:
Every transaction must be signed by the sender to ensure authenticity and security.
•Addressing Double-Spending:
The transaction ledger is maintained in a way that prevents double use of funds.
Bitcoin Scripts
•Bitcoin uses a scripting language to
define conditions for spending
transactions.
•The most common script is Pay-to-
PubKey-Hash (P2PKH), which secures
transactions using public keys and digital
signatures.
•Scripts specify rules for verifying
ownership and authorizing funds transfer.
Script Instructions and Operations
•Common script operations include:
•OP_DUP: Duplicates the top item on the stack.
•OP_HASH160: Hashes the item on the stack
for security.
•OP_EQUALVERIFY: Confirms that two values
match.
•These instructions verify the ownership
of funds before allowing a transaction
Example of Bitcoin Script Execution
•Bitcoin scripts are executed step-by-step to verify each transaction.
•The script ensures that the sender has provided a valid signature, proving ownership.
•This process is essential to maintaining the security of Bitcoin transactions.
Applications of Bitcoin Scripts
•Bitcoin scripts can do more than simple transactions:
•Multisig Wallets: Require multiple signatures for added security.
•Escrow Services: Lock funds until certain conditions are met.
•These applications enhance Bitcoin’s functionality for diverse use cases.
Bitcoin Blocks and Block Structure
•Transactions are grouped into
blocks to form the blockchain.
•Each block contains:
•Header: Includes metadata and
links to previous blocks.
•Transaction List: Contains all
transactions in the block.
•The blockchain secures and
organizes Bitcoin’s transaction
history.
Block Propagation and Validation
•After creation, blocks are
propagated across the Bitcoin
network for validation.
•Nodes in the network validate
blocks to ensure accuracy and
prevent tampering.
•Valid blocks are then added to the
blockchain, continuing the chain of
transactions.
Limitations and Improvements in
Bitcoin
•Scalability: The growth of the blockchain
raises issues with speed and storage.
•Solutions:
•Soft Forks: Backward-compatible updates.
•Hard Forks: Non-backward-compatible
changes.
•Improvements aim to make Bitcoin more
efficient and scalable.