Chapter 11: Introducing Bitcoin Scripts
To date, we've been interacting with Bitcoin at a relatively high
level of abstraction. The bitcoin-cli program offers access to a
variety of RPC commands that support the creation and control of raw
Bitcoin transactions that include funds, data, timelocks, and
multisigs.
However, Bitcoin offers much more complexity than that. It includes a simple scripting language that can be used to create even more complex redemption conditions. If multisigs and timelocks provided the basis of Smart Contracts, then Bitcoin Script builds high on that foundation. It's the next step in empowering Bitcoin.
Objectives for This Chapter
After working through this chapter, a developer will be able to:
- Design a Bitcoin Script
- Apply a Bitcoin Script
Supporting objectives include the ability to:
- Understand the Purpose of Bitcoin Scripts
- Understand the Needs for Bitcoin Script Testing
- Understand How P2PKH Works with Scripting
- Understand How P2WPKH Abstracts Scripting