View source for Talk:Controlled supply

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== Do not Resurrect That Stupid Graph ==
Please see my points over at [[File_talk:Total_bitcoins_over_time_graph.png]] which describe why I deleted the graph, and description of a suitable alternative. Seriously, the amount of misleading information that prior graph has disseminated into the public is horrorshow-enormous. [[User:Midnightmagic|Midnightmagic]] ([[User talk:Midnightmagic|talk]]) 07:11, 14 September 2014 (UTC)

== Actual Supply is Different From The Tables Here ==
Note that the actual supply is different than what is listed on these graphs due to provably destroyed coins, duplicate coinbase, and underpays; this should be accounted-for in the graphs. [[User:Midnightmagic|Midnightmagic]] ([[User talk:Midnightmagic|talk]]) 16:32, 16 September 2014 (UTC)
:I'm not sure if 'destroyed' coins should be taken into account.  While they may never become part of transactions again, they were at least created.  Duplicate coinbase and underpays are a different matter.  I'd like to take these into account in at least the description in one of my graphs (see the talk page for the deleted graph), but would also like to see some source material from which to glean actual numbers.  If you, or anybody else, can help out with this, it would be appreciated. [[User:TheRealSteve|TheRealSteve]] ([[User talk:TheRealSteve|talk]]) 21:48, 12 April 2015 (UTC)
:I'd still like to see some examples of further technical peculiarities that make existing bitcoin unspendable, as well as examples of bitcoin that actually entered into existence when it shouldn't have (thus raising the maximum), didn't enter into existence when they should have (thus lowering the maximum) and any other case that isn't simple loss or willful destruction. There's a section on this now, so by all means, add there directly [[User:TheRealSteve|TheRealSteve]] ([[User talk:TheRealSteve|talk]]) 12:36, 20 July 2015 (UTC)

== Projected Bitcoins (Long Term) - the numbers ==

The Projected Bitcoins Long Term table in the page uses [[Units|Bitcoin]] unit representation as a floating point number with an 8-digit precision to convey the actual number in [[Satoshi (unit)|satoshi]], which has an integer representation inside the [[Bitcoin Core|satoshi client]].

Each of the values is based on the actual number of satoshi rewarded per block.  This reward halves every 210,000 blocks.[https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/master/src/main.cpp#L1179]  This halving presents a potential point of confusion; at some point the reward would be 610,351.5 satoshi - which at {{as of|2015|04|04}} cannot exist in the satoshi client's fixed point arithmetic limit.<br />
The value is, instead, truncated to 610,351 satoshi.  The total number of satoshi generated during that reward era is thus not <tt>210,000 * 610,351.5 = 128,173,815,000 (<span class="btc">BTC</span>1,281.73815000)</tt>, but <tt>210,000 * 610,351 = 128,173,710,000 (<span class="btc">BTC</span>1,281.73710000)</tt>.  The same problem presents itself with any subsequent reward eras .<br />
An earlier version of the table in this page had a single satoshi error in some of the values, likely due to related floating point accuracy issues.[http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/31g89l/rounding_error_in_the_wiki/]

At the actual last round there should be a total of <tt><span class="btc">BTC</span>20,999,999.97690000</tt>.<br />
If using floating point math throughout, depending on the accuracy and behavior of the floating point calculations, this could end up being calculated as <tt><span class="btc">BTC</span>20999999.99877760</tt>, or a difference of <tt><span class="btc">BTC</span>0.02187764</tt>.<br />
The floating point math approach will tend toward a total supply of <tt><span class="btc">BTC</span>21,000,000</tt>, and a difference from the actual current maximum of <tt><span class="btc">BTC</span>0.0231</tt>.

For technical purposes, the total supply should be noted as <tt><span class="btc">BTC</span>20,999,999.97690</tt> with a reminder that this depends on the current fixed point arithmetic.  For colloquial use, <tt><span class="btc">BTC</span>21,000,000</tt> should be acceptable. [[User:TheRealSteve|TheRealSteve]] ([[User talk:TheRealSteve|talk]]) 22:01, 4 April 2015 (UTC)

== Projected Bitcoins (Long Term) 'Years' column removal ==

I've finally removed the Years column from the "Projected Bitcoins Long Term" table.  There's multiple arguments in favor of this: 1. The existing format was decimal years, which aren't very layperson friendly.  2. Laypersons may be misled to believe these year/date values are set in stone, when they are not.  For relevant discussion, see the arguments regarding an earlier graph which I can only presume (as the file was deleted) was equally misleading, and this reddit comment thread (disclaimer: I'm a participant in that thread): https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/31g89l/rounding_error_in_the_wiki/ .  If anybody wants to put year/date numbers back in: it's a wiki, go ahead, but I'd appreciate an outline of the arguments in favor in response here :) [[User:TheRealSteve|TheRealSteve]] ([[User talk:TheRealSteve|talk]]) 22:11, 30 July 2015 (UTC)