Communicating with Bitcoin Core & controlling functions

Bitcoin Core acts like a server which means all the nested functions – as listed above – can be accessed and controlled by the client. Full Nodes do this by using set commands in JSON-RPC (Remote Procedure Calls) format which are available across a whole range of languages. So chances are, if you have programming skills you can communicate with Bitcoin Core and build out functions.

Given Bitcoin Core includes the full blockchain – the entire historical ledger of bitcoin transactions and balances – the possible uses of that information are limited only by your imagination and programming skills. 

Here’s a list of ways of communicating with Bitcoin Core.

Python; Ruby; Erlang; PHP; JAVA ;Perl; Go; .Net; JS; Deno; Command Line; C; Clojure; C##

Full details can be found on the Bitcoin Wiki. There is however, a shortcut provided by the Intermediary Layer (sometimes called Client Layer) of pre-built APIs that will do the heavy-lifting for you.

Benefits of Running a Bitcoin Node

Running a full bitcoin node doesn’t have any coin rewards, however, it comes with its intangible benefits. They include:

• Running a full bitcoin node increases the security of a transaction. If you carry out multiple BTC transactions a day, you can access updated information regarding your transactions directly from Bitcoin’s blockchain. 

• By running a full node, you can enforce Bitcoin’s consensus rules and have the authority to reject a transaction that breaks the rules. Plus, the more copies of the Bitcoin blockchain exists, the more resilient the platform is. So, you’re not just helping to improve the security but also strengthening the Bitcoin network. 

• If you are a trader or holder, you’ll have immediate access to large transactions that can move the market. In fact, a research paper published by Lennart Ante recommends that traders should run a Bitcoin node themselves to assess the market. 

• Outside of Nodes, Bitcoin transactions are processed through a third party. People who are very concerned about their privacy should run Bitcoin nodes of their own to take full advantage of Bitcoin’s privacy system. 

• In the event of a hard fork, bitcoin full nodes have the option to choose which chain to join. So, if you run a full Bitcoin node, you can get involved in the governance of the Bitcoin protocol.