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1500 questions
45
votes
2 answers
Nonce size - Will it always be big enough?
If I understand correctly, the block only has 4 bytes (32 bits) for the nonce.
Is it possible for the difficulty to become high enough that there are no nonce solutions?
If so, then what options does a miner have?
Michael Pickens
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45
votes
3 answers
Why does Bitcoin send the "change" to a different address?
For example I have an address (A) with 20 BTC and send 9 BTC to address (B). Bitcoin will create a "change" portion of the transaction where the remaining 11 BTC goes to address (C).
Why not send the change back to A?
Instead of:
Initial balance:…
DeathAndTaxes
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45
votes
6 answers
What unique business models has Bitcoin enabled?
Are there specific, unique business models that have been made possible by the invention of Bitcoin? And if so, what are they?
Edit:
I seem to be getting a lot of answers about the areas of industry that people hope and or predict Bitcoin will be…
eMansipater
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45
votes
2 answers
What is the coin selection algorithm?
When creating a transaction in the standard client, what is the algorithm used to determine which unspent outputs will be used as inputs?
Has this changed since the first version? What different algorithms are used by alternative clients?
Does the…
Andrew Jones
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44
votes
6 answers
Why doesn't Bitcoin migrate to proof-of-stake?
After reading a little bit about different consensus algorithms, I am just trying to understand why Bitcoin still uses proof-of-work. This consensus algorithm being exponentially expensive, and resource intensive, doesn't it make more sense for…
Oscar Serna
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44
votes
1 answer
What do the different .dat files contain?
What data do different Bitcoin .dat files contain? How about the other files in the same folder?
The wallet.dat file is somewhat documented and there are some ways to convert it to human-readable form, but I don't think the same can be said about…
ThePiachu
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44
votes
2 answers
When should I use -reindex-chainstate and when -reindex
What is the difference between the options -reindex and -reindex-chainstate?
Is one of the options faster?
When should each option be used?
amanusk
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44
votes
2 answers
How can I export the private key for an address from the satoshi client?
If I want to transfer an address from the satoshi client into a different client, how can I find its private key to do so?
Chris Moore
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44
votes
10 answers
How can I keep my wallet secure?
The standard Bitcoin client does not encrypt wallet files, so any malicious user that gains access to this file will be able to transfer all the coins to their own wallet. Furthermore, if I lose the wallet file then I lose access to those coins. …
Michael McGowan
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44
votes
4 answers
How is block-solution-withholding a threat to mining pools?
If I understand the technical process (for most mining pools) correctly, a participant in a mining pool is given block data to combine with a nonce to try to solve the block. If they get close (but not close enough to give the actual solution) to…
Highly Irregular
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43
votes
5 answers
How is Bitcoin supposed to serve as currency when it is all but impossible to spend at the moment (12/2017)?
It seems Bitcoin is not standing up to the test of use as currency (that is to say heavy use). I tried to pay someone 0.009BTC (about $150) for some goods which I need in a fairly timely manner. As if I was ordering some supplies from a crafts…
Vladimir Ferdman
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43
votes
8 answers
Is CPU mining even worth it?
I would like to start mining, but my GPU isn't the greatest and I don't really want to spend the money on a dedicated rig. Is mining from my CPU (in a Linux environment) still worth it? Or will I not be able to keep up?
nopcorn
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43
votes
4 answers
What are pros and cons of txindex option?
I am reading "Mastering Bitcoin" written by Andreas and I found this explanation about "txindex option"
Transaction Database Index and txindex Option
By default, Bitcoin Core builds a database containing only the
transactions related to the…
zono
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43
votes
2 answers
What is a share? Can I find it while mining solo, or only when pool mining?
In mining, what is "a share"?
When mining solo, do I "find shares"?
ripper234
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43
votes
7 answers
How to safely shutdown bitcoind ?
Surprised this one hasn't been asked yet.
But how / what is the recommended best practice for shutting down bitcoind ?
Right now I'm manually killing the process with either sudo kill {pid} or if this is failing (like just now) using sudo pkill -9…
ManreeRist
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