Re: [bitcoin-dev] [bitcoin-discuss] Proposal to replace full blockchain with recent history plus UTXO Set

From: CryptAxe <cryptaxe@gmail•com>
To: willtech@live•com.au,
	 Bitcoin Protocol Discussion
	<bitcoin-dev@lists•linuxfoundation.org>
Subject: Re: [bitcoin-dev] [bitcoin-discuss] Proposal to replace full blockchain with recent history plus UTXO Set
Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2018 17:00:03 -0700	[thread overview]
Message-ID: <CAF5CFkhY0rYP6yb66jr0MyKBOuTXuQ+Kasz0kJ_NM985YR-wPA@mail.gmail.com> (raw)
In-Reply-To: <PS2P216MB01795F6E52A18C73E20E9D5A9D160@PS2P216MB0179.KORP216.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM>

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Feel free to take a look at my implementation of UTXO loading (for core
~0.16.99) here:
https://github.com/DriveNetTESTDRIVE/DriveNet/commit/60189ea9a23865180e25207ecf66f95d84f642c6

Note that this has consensus implications, and that there are bugs (some of
which are fixed in later commits to that repository)

On Tue, Sep 25, 2018 at 4:56 PM Damian Williamson via bitcoin-dev <
bitcoin-dev@lists•linuxfoundation.org> wrote:

> A fairly decent rework would be needed but it seems that the idea has
> merit initially.
>
>
> As it is now, it is not only that a utxo exists but, that the transaction
> it references and the block it is within can also be fully validated.
>
>
> So, if a utxo block set type existed then by consensus every so often a
> bunch of blocks containing just the validated utxo set to a given height,
> say 100,000 blocks below the current blockheight, and necessary header data
> could be appended onto the valid chain and nodes would be free to drop all
> preceding blocks. I suspect that many wouldn't and that even many new nodes
> would still desire to download the full blockchain but, for the use case
> you mention it would make sense.
>
>
> If done [right/wrong] it may even make Satoshi's fortune spendable.
> Something to watch out for.
> ------------------------------
> *From:* bitcoin-discuss-bounces@lists•linuxfoundation.org <
> bitcoin-discuss-bounces@lists•linuxfoundation.org> on behalf of Dave
> Scotese via bitcoin-discuss <bitcoin-discuss@lists•linuxfoundation.org>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, 26 September 2018 1:46:54 AM
> *To:* Bitcoin Discuss
> *Subject:* Re: [bitcoin-discuss] Proposal to replace full blockchain with
> recent history plus UTXO Set
>
> The image at imgur and the pastebin both reference block 542324 but the
> correct block is 542322.  As the pastebin shows, the decimal and hex
> representations I gave for the block height did not match, and this is
> why.  If you use the Merkle root for block 542322 instead of 542324, you'll
> be able to see the correct Game of Life play out and make the apron image.
>
> Dave.
>
> On Sun, Sep 23, 2018 at 11:38 AM Dave Scotese <dscotese@litmocracy•com>
> wrote:
>
> I thought I didn't have access to the dev list and so intended to post the
> following proposal to this discussion list, but used the wrong email
> address.  Anyway, my email did get into the dev list (
> https://lists.linuxfoundation.org/pipermail/bitcoin-dev/2018-September/016420.html)
> but I'll repeat it here:
>
> I've been working on an idea that relieves full nodes of storing the
> entire blockchain. Open source software generally relies on the fact that
> "enough" people agree that it's secure. Bitcoin software works that way
> too. So if you understand enough to see that a UTXO set is valid at a
> certain block height, and there are enough other people who agree and that
> set is recognizable by humans, then we can use that UTXO set and ditch the
> blockchain that existed up to that point. It would save a lot of storage
> and make it a lot easier to run a full node.
>
> Have you reviewed the source code from which your wallets were compiled?
> At some point, we all trust third parties, but generally (at least among
> people who understand Bitcoin) they are large composite groups so that no
> small group or individual can profit from cheating.
>
> I look forward to answering any concerns and also to any offers of help.
> I used block 542324 of the Bitcoin blockchain to make a memorable
> experience using the game of life. I wrote a script for the open-source
> Game-of-Life software Golly and shared it in the paste at
> https://pastebin.com/k5Ssc0qk. It produces the image at
> https://imgur.com/a/rwIQuVz. If someone can tell me how to get a UTXO Set
> from the bitcoin client, I'll send them $50 of bitcoin. Then I could get
> the SHA256 hash of that set and try to make a recognizable checkpoint for
> the Bitcoin blockchain. If someone runs Golly and shares a video of the
> game playing out (into the apron-shaped image), I'll send them $50 of
> bitcoin too.
>
> In a few decades when the blockchain has grown to a few terabytes and the
> UTXO Set is still just a few gigabytes, I'd like to see more people start
> running full nodes without the hassle of a long wait and loads of storage
> space. That's what stops me from running one.
>
>
>
> --
> I like to provide some work at no charge to prove my value. Do you need a
> techie?
> I own Litmocracy <http://www.litmocracy.com> and Meme Racing
> <http://www.memeracing.net> (in alpha).
> I'm the webmaster for The Voluntaryist <http://www.voluntaryist.com>
> which now accepts Bitcoin.
> I also code for The Dollar Vigilante <http://dollarvigilante.com/>.
> "He ought to find it more profitable to play by the rules" - Satoshi
> Nakamoto
> _______________________________________________
> bitcoin-dev mailing list
> bitcoin-dev@lists•linuxfoundation.org
> https://lists.linuxfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/bitcoin-dev
>

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