The Genesis of Ethereum: Discovering Bitcoin’s Source Code
In 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto, the enigmatic creator of Bitcoin, released the first block of the Bitcoin blockchain, known as Block 0. At that time, there was no central repository for Bitcoin’s source code. Instead, development took place on a decentralized network, with contributions from multiple programmers and contributors.
Where was the source code stored?
Initially, Satoshi Nakamoto hosted Bitcoin’s source code in a directory called trac on a private Subversion (SVN) server on Bitcointalk.org, an online forum for discussing Bitcoin. The Trac interface provided a web-based interface for managing and updating the codebase.
No 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 uploaded their code changes to the Trac interface or emailed 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 submitted pull requests to the Bitcointalk.org Trac interface, which were reviewed and approved by Satoshi.
The Rise of GitHub
Fast forward to 2010, when Satoshi decided to open-source Bitcoin on April 23, 2009 (Block 1). 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: A Forked Project
In October 2014, Vitalik Buterin, one of the core developers of Ethereum, proposed a fork of the Bitcoin source code, which would eventually become Ethereum. The new repository, also called ethereum, was created under the name ethers 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. While there were no centralized repositories in 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto’s open-source Bitcoin project paved the way for the development of Ethereum.
Conclusion
The Ethereum origin 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 thriving decentralized network, Ethereum has come a long way. As we continue to build on existing blockchain networks, understanding the history behind its 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 <