Block - Revision history

WikiR: Updated broken block count link, adding more context and multiple reliable explorers for better accuracy.

2025-02-22T13:33:16Z

Updated broken block count link, adding more context and multiple reliable explorers for better accuracy.

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:33, 22 February 2025
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	=== How many blocks are there? ===		=== How many blocks are there? ===
	[~~http~~://~~blockexplorer~~.com/q/~~getblockcount Current~~ block ~~count]~~
			The Bitcoin blockchain is constantly growing as miners add new blocks approximately every 10 minutes. The latest block height represents the total number of blocks mined so far. You can check the current block count from the following sources:

			* [https://mempool.space/ Mempool.space] – A real-time Bitcoin explorer displaying the latest block height.
			* [https://www.blockchain.com/explorer Blockchain.com Explorer] – A widely used blockchain explorer showing the latest blocks.
			* [https://blockstream.info/ Blockstream Explorer] – A Bitcoin explorer providing block height and transaction details.

	=== What is the maximum number of blocks? ===		=== What is the maximum number of blocks? ===

Belcher: /* Description */ Add link to block timestamp page

2019-05-13T16:48:34Z

Description: Add link to block timestamp page

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:48, 13 May 2019
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	\|}		\|}
	==Description==		==Description==
	Each block contains, among other things, a record of some or all recent [[transactions]], and a reference to the block that came immediately before it. It also contains an answer to a difficult-to-solve mathematical puzzle - the answer to which is unique to each block. New blocks cannot be submitted to the network without the correct answer - the process of "[[mining]]" is essentially the process of competing to be the next to find the answer that "solves" the current block. The mathematical problem in each block is extremely [[difficulty\|difficult]] to solve, but once a valid solution is found, it is very easy for the rest of the network to confirm that the solution is correct. There are multiple valid solutions for any given block - only one of the solutions needs to be found for the block to be solved.		Each block contains, among other things, the [[Block timestamp\|current time]], a record of some or all recent [[transactions]], and a reference to the block that came immediately before it. It also contains an answer to a difficult-to-solve mathematical puzzle - the answer to which is unique to each block. New blocks cannot be submitted to the network without the correct answer - the process of "[[mining]]" is essentially the process of competing to be the next to find the answer that "solves" the current block. The mathematical problem in each block is extremely [[difficulty\|difficult]] to solve, but once a valid solution is found, it is very easy for the rest of the network to confirm that the solution is correct. There are multiple valid solutions for any given block - only one of the solutions needs to be found for the block to be solved.

	Because there is a reward of brand new bitcoins for solving each block, every block also contains a record of which [[Bitcoin address]]es or [[script]]s are entitled to receive the reward. This record is known as a generation transaction, or a [[coinbase]] transaction, and is always the first transaction appearing in every block. The number of [[Bitcoins]] generated per block starts at 50 and is [[controlled supply\|halved]] every 210,000 blocks (about four years).		Because there is a reward of brand new bitcoins for solving each block, every block also contains a record of which [[Bitcoin address]]es or [[script]]s are entitled to receive the reward. This record is known as a generation transaction, or a [[coinbase]] transaction, and is always the first transaction appearing in every block. The number of [[Bitcoins]] generated per block starts at 50 and is [[controlled supply\|halved]] every 210,000 blocks (about four years).

Belcher: added comment about blocks being buried under more proof of work

2018-03-16T15:58:40Z

added comment about blocks being buried under more proof of work

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:58, 16 March 2018
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	Transaction data is permanently recorded in files called '''blocks'''. They can be thought of as the individual pages of a city recorder's recordbook (where changes to title to real estate are recorded) or a stock transaction ledger. Blocks are organized into a linear sequence over time (also known as the [[block chain]]). New transactions are constantly being processed by [[Mining\|miners]] into new blocks which are added to the end of the chain and ~~can never be changed~~ or ~~removed once accepted by the network (although some software will~~ remove ~~orphaned blocks)~~.		Transaction data is permanently recorded in files called '''blocks'''. They can be thought of as the individual pages of a city recorder's recordbook (where changes to title to real estate are recorded) or a stock transaction ledger. Blocks are organized into a linear sequence over time (also known as the [[block chain]]). New transactions are constantly being processed by [[Mining\|miners]] into new blocks which are added to the end of the chain. As blocks are [[Confirmation\|buried deeper and deeper]] into the blockchain they become [[Proof of work\|harder and harder]] to change or remove, this gives rise of bitcoin's [[Irreversible Transactions]].

	===Block structure===		===Block structure===

Willem at 13:02, 16 March 2018

2018-03-16T13:02:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:02, 16 March 2018
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	Transaction data is permanently recorded in files called '''blocks'''. They can be thought of as the individual pages of a city recorder's recordbook (where changes to title to real estate are recorded) or a stock transaction ledger. Blocks are organized into a linear sequence over time (also known as the [[block chain]]). New transactions are constantly being ~~processes~~ by [[Mining\|miners]] into new blocks which are added to the end of the chain and can never be changed or removed once accepted by the network (although some software will remove orphaned blocks).		Transaction data is permanently recorded in files called '''blocks'''. They can be thought of as the individual pages of a city recorder's recordbook (where changes to title to real estate are recorded) or a stock transaction ledger. Blocks are organized into a linear sequence over time (also known as the [[block chain]]). New transactions are constantly being processed by [[Mining\|miners]] into new blocks which are added to the end of the chain and can never be changed or removed once accepted by the network (although some software will remove orphaned blocks).

	===Block structure===		===Block structure===

Nayuki: Added related link, copyedit

2016-03-04T19:25:05Z

Added related link, copyedit

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:25, 4 March 2016
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	=== How long will it take me to generate a block? ===		=== How long will it take me to generate a block? ===
	No-one can say exactly. There is a [[Generation Calculator\|generation calculator]] that will tell you how long it '''might''' take.		No one can say exactly. There is a [[Generation Calculator\|generation calculator]] that will tell you how long it '''might''' take.

	=== What if I'm 1% towards calculating a block and...? ===		=== What if I'm 1% towards calculating a block and...? ===
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	==See Also==		==See Also==

			* [[Protocol rules#"block" messages\|Protocol rules - "block" messages]]
	* [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=101514.0 Format of the BDB-style block files]		* [https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=101514.0 Format of the BDB-style block files]

SapphireSpire at 16:04, 20 December 2015

2015-12-20T16:04:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:04, 20 December 2015
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	~~Data~~ is permanently recorded in ~~the Bitcoin network through~~ files called '''blocks'''. ~~A block is a record of some or all of the most recent Bitcoin [[transaction]]s that have not yet been recorded in any prior blocks.~~ They ~~could~~ be thought of ~~like~~ the individual pages of a city recorder's recordbook (where changes to title to real estate are recorded) or a stock transaction ledger. ~~New blocks~~ are ~~added to the end of the record~~ (known as the [[block chain]]), and can never be changed or removed once ~~written~~ (although some software will remove ~~them if they are~~ orphaned). ~~Each block memorializes what took place in the minutes before it was created.~~		Transaction data is permanently recorded in files called '''blocks'''. They can be thought of as the individual pages of a city recorder's recordbook (where changes to title to real estate are recorded) or a stock transaction ledger. Blocks are organized into a linear sequence over time (also known as the [[block chain]]). New transactions are constantly being processes by [[Mining\|miners]] into new blocks which are added to the end of the chain and can never be changed or removed once accepted by the network (although some software will remove orphaned blocks).

	===Block structure===		===Block structure===
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"

Rebroad at 05:46, 17 May 2015

2015-05-17T05:46:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:46, 17 May 2015
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	Data is permanently recorded in the Bitcoin network through files called '''blocks'''. A block is a record of some or all of the most recent Bitcoin [[transaction]]s that have not yet been recorded in any prior blocks. They could be thought of like the individual pages of a city recorder's recordbook (where changes to title to real estate are recorded) or a stock transaction ledger. New blocks are added to the end of the record (known as the [[block chain]]), and can never be changed or removed once written. Each block memorializes what took place in the minutes before it was created.		Data is permanently recorded in the Bitcoin network through files called '''blocks'''. A block is a record of some or all of the most recent Bitcoin [[transaction]]s that have not yet been recorded in any prior blocks. They could be thought of like the individual pages of a city recorder's recordbook (where changes to title to real estate are recorded) or a stock transaction ledger. New blocks are added to the end of the record (known as the [[block chain]]), and can never be changed or removed once written (although some software will remove them if they are orphaned). Each block memorializes what took place in the minutes before it was created.
	===Block structure===		===Block structure===
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"

Taras at 20:52, 15 April 2015

2015-04-15T20:52:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:52, 15 April 2015
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	Data is permanently recorded in the Bitcoin network through files called '''blocks'''. A block is a record of some or all of the most recent Bitcoin [[transaction]]s that have not yet been recorded in any prior blocks. They could be thought of like the individual pages of a city recorder's recordbook (where changes to title to real estate are recorded) or a stock transaction ledger. New blocks are added to the end of the record (known as the [[block chain]]), and can never changed or removed once written. Each block memorializes what took place in the minutes before it was created.		Data is permanently recorded in the Bitcoin network through files called '''blocks'''. A block is a record of some or all of the most recent Bitcoin [[transaction]]s that have not yet been recorded in any prior blocks. They could be thought of like the individual pages of a city recorder's recordbook (where changes to title to real estate are recorded) or a stock transaction ledger. New blocks are added to the end of the record (known as the [[block chain]]), and can never be changed or removed once written. Each block memorializes what took place in the minutes before it was created.
	===Block structure===		===Block structure===
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
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	\|}		\|}
	==Description==		==Description==
	Each block contains, among other things, a record of some or all recent [[transactions]], and a reference to the block that came immediately before it. It also contains an answer to a difficult-to-solve mathematical puzzle - the answer to which is unique to each block. New blocks ~~can't~~ be submitted to the network without the correct answer - the process of "[[~~Mining~~]]" is essentially the process of competing to be the next to find the answer that "solves" the current block. The mathematical problem in each block is difficult to solve, but once a valid solution is found, it is very easy for the rest of the network to confirm that the solution is correct. There are multiple valid solutions for any given block - only one of the solutions needs to be found for the block to be solved.		Each block contains, among other things, a record of some or all recent [[transactions]], and a reference to the block that came immediately before it. It also contains an answer to a difficult-to-solve mathematical puzzle - the answer to which is unique to each block. New blocks cannot be submitted to the network without the correct answer - the process of "[[mining]]" is essentially the process of competing to be the next to find the answer that "solves" the current block. The mathematical problem in each block is extremely [[difficulty\|difficult]] to solve, but once a valid solution is found, it is very easy for the rest of the network to confirm that the solution is correct. There are multiple valid solutions for any given block - only one of the solutions needs to be found for the block to be solved.

	Because there is a reward of brand new ~~Bitcoins~~ for solving each block, every block also contains a record of which [[Bitcoin address]] is entitled to receive the reward. This record is known as a generation transaction, or a [[coinbase]] transaction, and is always the first transaction appearing in every block. The number of [[Bitcoins]] generated per block starts at 50 and is halved every 210,000 blocks (about four years).		Because there is a reward of brand new bitcoins for solving each block, every block also contains a record of which [[Bitcoin address]]es or [[script]]s are entitled to receive the reward. This record is known as a generation transaction, or a [[coinbase]] transaction, and is always the first transaction appearing in every block. The number of [[Bitcoins]] generated per block starts at 50 and is [[controlled supply\|halved]] every 210,000 blocks (about four years).

	Bitcoin transactions are [[transaction broadcasting\|broadcast]] to the [[network]] by the sender, and all peers trying to solve blocks collect the transaction records and add them to the block they~~'re~~ working to solve.		Bitcoin transactions are [[transaction broadcasting\|broadcast]] to the [[network]] by the sender, and all peers trying to solve blocks collect the transaction records and add them to the block they are working to solve. Miners get incentive to include transactions in their blocks because of attached transaction fees.

	The difficulty of the mathematical problem is automatically adjusted by the network, such that it targets a goal of solving an average of 6 blocks per hour. Every 2016 blocks (about two weeks), all Bitcoin clients compare the actual number created with this goal and modify the target by the percentage that it varied. ~~This~~ increases (or decreases) the difficulty of generating blocks.		The [[difficulty]] of the mathematical problem is automatically adjusted by the network, such that it targets a goal of solving an average of 6 blocks per hour. Every 2016 blocks (solved in about two weeks), all Bitcoin clients compare the actual number created with this goal and modify the target by the percentage that it varied. The network comes to a consensus and automatically increases (or decreases) the difficulty of generating blocks.

	Because each block contains a reference to the prior block, the collection of all blocks in existence can be said to form a chain. However, it's possible for the chain to have temporary splits - for example, if two miners arrive at two different valid solutions for the same block at the same time, unbeknownst to one another. The peer-to-peer network is designed to resolve these splits within a short period of time, so that only one branch of the chain survives.		Because each block contains a reference to the prior block, the collection of all blocks in existence can be said to form a chain. However, it's possible for the chain to have temporary splits - for example, if two miners arrive at two different valid solutions for the same block at the same time, unbeknownst to one another. The peer-to-peer network is designed to resolve these splits within a short period of time, so that only one branch of the chain survives.

Taras at 20:47, 15 April 2015

2015-04-15T20:47:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:47, 15 April 2015
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			Data is permanently recorded in the Bitcoin network through files called '''blocks'''. A block is a record of some or all of the most recent Bitcoin [[transaction]]s that have not yet been recorded in any prior blocks. They could be thought of like the individual pages of a city recorder's recordbook (where changes to title to real estate are recorded) or a stock transaction ledger. New blocks are added to the end of the record (known as the [[block chain]]), and can never changed or removed once written. Each block memorializes what took place in the minutes before it was created.
	Data is permanently recorded in the Bitcoin network through files called '''blocks'''. A block is a record of some or all of the most recent Bitcoin ~~transactions~~ that have not yet been recorded in any prior blocks. They could be thought of like the individual pages of a city recorder's recordbook (where changes to title to real estate are recorded) or a stock transaction ledger. ~~In all but a few exceptional cases, new~~ blocks are added to the end of the record (known ~~in Bitcoin~~ as the [[block chain]]), and ~~once written, are~~ never changed or removed. Each block memorializes what took place ~~immediately~~ before it was created.
	===Block structure===		===Block structure===
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"

Taras: Taras moved page Blocks to Block over redirect

2014-12-30T23:21:19Z

Taras moved page Blocks to Block over redirect

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:21, 30 December 2014
(No difference)