Bitcoin for the Befuddled

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HELLO MONEY! A SIMPLE JAVASCRIPT PROGRAM

One factor that makes Bitcoin so exciting is that anyone can write computer programs to link directly into the Bitcoin network and perform financial transactions. This appendix explains how to write a simple JavaScript program that watches a wallet and indicates when bitcoins have been sent to the wallet. In Appendix B, we’ll create some more advanced programs in Java that expand on this idea.

The Meaning of “Easy”

Writing programs that manipulate money in Bitcoin is easy. However, as we walk through this process, it might not seem very easy to you.

But imagine, instead, if we built our app or service using a traditional e-commerce system. Roughly, here’s what those steps would look like:

1. Incorporate ...