The Origins of Ethereum: Uncovering the Bitcoin Source Code
In 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto, the enigmatic creator of Bitcoin, published the first block of the Bitcoin blockchain, known as Block 0. At the time, there was no central repository for the Bitcoin source code. Instead, development took place on a decentralized network, with contributions from various developers and contributors.
Where is the source code stored?
Initially, Satoshi Nakamoto kept the Bitcoin source code in a directory called trac on a private Subversion (SVN) server on Bitcointalk.org, an online Bitcoin discussion forum. The trac interface provides a web-based interface for managing and updating the codebase.
Don’t have a centralized repository?
At that time, there was no central repository like GitHub or GitLab, which we see today. Instead, developers relied on email lists, such as the Bitcoin mailing list, to discuss and share updates with each other.
How did contributors work?
Contributors, known as developers, used a variety of tools and techniques to collaborate and submit their contributions. They could:
- Upload files: Developers would upload their code changes to the Trac interface or email them directly to Satoshi.
- Contribute via Mercurial: Bitcoin’s predecessor, Hashgraph (later renamed Ethereum), also used a distributed version control system called Mercurial. Developers could contribute code using this system.
- Submit pull requests: Contributors would submit pull requests to the Bitcointalk.org Trac interface, which were reviewed and approved by Satoshi.
The emergence of GitHub
Fast forward to 2010, when Satoshi decided to open source Bitcoin (block 1) on April 23, 2009. This marked a significant milestone in the development of the Bitcoin codebase. The first official Bitcoin repository was created under the name bitcoin' and is now hosted on GitHub.
Ethereum: Forked Project
In October 2014, Vitalik Buterin, one of Ethereum's key developers, proposed a fork of the Bitcoin source code, which would eventually become Ethereum. A new repository, also calledethereum, was created under the nameethers` and is now hosted on GitHub.
Ethereum: From Source Code to Decentralized Network
Today, Ethereum’s source code is managed by a decentralized network of contributors, who work together through various tools such as GitLab and Bitbucket. Although there were no centralized repositories in 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto’s open source Bitcoin project paved the way for the development of Ethereum.
Conclusion
Ethereum’s story highlights the early days of decentralized software development and the importance of collaboration among developers. From its humble beginnings on a private Subversion server to its current status as a successful decentralized network, Ethereum has come a long way. As we continue to build on existing blockchain networks, understanding the history behind their creation is essential to driving innovation and progress.
Sources:
- [1] Satoshi Nakamoto (2009). Bitcoin Software Development. Retrieved from <
- [2] Vitalik Buterin (2014). Ethereum Core Project. Retrieved from <
- [3] Bitcointalk.org Trac (2009). Bitcoin Source Code. Retrieved from <