Script Definition
Script is a simple programming language used in Bitcoin to validate transactions. It is a list of instructions recorded with each transaction that describes how the next person wanting to spend the Bitcoins being transferred can gain access to them. The script is purely stack-based and processed from left to right. It is purposefully not Turing-complete, with no loops.
Script Key Points
- Script is the programming language that Bitcoin uses to determine who can spend a given piece of bitcoin (output).
- It is not Turing-complete, meaning it doesn’t have the ability to loop.
- Script is processed from left to right and is purely stack-based.
- It is used every time a transaction is created in Bitcoin.
What is Script?
Script is the internal programming language of Bitcoin, used to validate transactions within the network. It is a stack-based language, meaning it operates by manipulating and operating on a data structure called a stack. The stack is a simple data structure where data can be added or removed, but only from the top.
Who uses Script?
Every participant in the Bitcoin network uses Script, whether they realize it or not. Every time a transaction is created, Script is used to ensure that the transaction is valid and that the person initiating the transaction has the right to do so.
Where is Script used?
Script is used within the Bitcoin network. It is embedded in every transaction that takes place, providing the rules that must be followed for a transaction to be considered valid.
When is Script used?
Script is used every time a transaction is created in Bitcoin. It is the mechanism that ensures that only the rightful owner of a piece of bitcoin can spend it.
Why is Script important?
Script is important because it provides the rules and conditions that govern the transfer of bitcoins. Without Script, there would be no way to ensure that only the rightful owner of a bitcoin could spend it.
How does Script work?
Script works by providing a list of instructions that must be followed for a transaction to be valid. These instructions are processed from left to right and operate on a stack. The instructions can do things like check if the person initiating the transaction has the correct private key, and if so, allow the transaction to proceed.
