A from-scratch tour of Bitcoin in Python
Published:Jun 21, 2021 10:00
•1 min read
•Andrej Karpathy
Analysis
This article by Andrej Karpathy outlines a project to implement a Bitcoin transaction in pure Python, with no dependencies. The author's motivation stems from a fascination with blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionize computing by enabling shared, open, and permissionless access to a running computer. The article aims to provide an intuitive understanding of Bitcoin's inner workings by building it from the ground up, emphasizing the concept of "what I cannot create I do not understand." The project focuses on creating, digitally signing, and broadcasting a Bitcoin transaction, offering a hands-on approach to learning about Bitcoin's value representation.
Key Takeaways
- •The article aims to provide a practical understanding of Bitcoin by implementing a transaction in Python.
- •The project emphasizes the open and permissionless nature of blockchain technology.
- •The author's approach is based on the principle of learning by doing.
Reference
“We don’t just get to share code, we get to share a running computer, and anyone anywhere can use it in an open and permissionless manner.”