Create a really simple cryptocurrency based on Bitcoin

[ivj94]

I'm a student and I've started to learn programming like Java, C#, Php 1,5 years ago. I am a university student and I have 2 years to obtain bachelor's degree. I've read about Bitcoin nowadays and it seems like very interesting. I think, I'd like to create a really simple cryptocurrency system based on Bitcoin for my dissertation. What do you think? In the next 1-1,5 years can I learn enough to create a simple one?
To tell the truth, I've started to read about the basics of Bitcoin and the source code of Bitcoin. This is not easy:) There are a lot of things what I don't understand. I don't know how to start to learn about these things. Maybe could you tell me books, ebooks, tutorials etc. how I can start it? (Maybe a guide/description how to Bitcoin source code built up?) Maybe can I chat with people here who created something similar in the past?

[hexafraction]

I've noticed that you haven't stated C++ as a language, meaning that the C++ wallet is one thing you may not want to study first. There's a nice open-source library, bitcoinj, that seems to be fairly well documented (in my opinion). Although I don't know your level of Java understanding (1.5 years could do a lot or a little), I think it's a good place to start, followed by the forum here. Additionally, I've done a fair amount of development based on bitcoinj (modifying it as well), so you can contact me by PM (or email (my username here AT gmail)) if you have any questions.

[melisande]

Practically you don't need up to 1 year to learn how to create your own really simple cryptocurrency based on Bitcoin, there are some people here who can teach you and help you to create your coin in less than 6 months.

[hexafraction]

Practically you don't need up to 1 year to learn how to create your own really simple cryptocurrency based on Bitcoin, there are some people here who can teach you and help you to create your coin in less than 6 months.

That's not an implementation from scratch, but just a fork/clone. Possibly not appropriate for a bachelor's dissertation.

[Delek]

What "based in bitcoin" means? A sidechain will be pretty awesome.

[ivj94]

Practically you don't need up to 1 year to learn how to create your own really simple cryptocurrency based on Bitcoin, there are some people here who can teach you and help you to create your coin in less than 6 months.

Hi melisande,
Who could help me in this project? Maybe could you try it to learn?

What "based in bitcoin" means? A sidechain will be pretty awesome.

Hi Delek too:)
Well, to tell the truth, I'm just watching the codes and descriptions about Bitcoin, because there are a lot of things which is not clear yet. I have many questions... However, I think some things would be differently. I know, I'm new in programming and Bitcoin, so propably what I think is stupid, but why sould every nodes store the whole database about transactions? Yeah, I know, because of safety that you can't send your bitcoin again and again etc. But maybe if the biggest servers can store only all transactions and the smallest ones store only the latest transactions... And if a 'big' server is shutting down, then another server will take over its role and download transactions from the others. The small ones in groups and if a transaction is not fully safety, in this case the server connect with the others. Hmm... okay, I know now it is a stupid idea:) I didn't say anything.

[remotemass]

Hello mate!

I love your idea and it is something that would be really helpful to the community: a minimal bitcoin client that could be used for pedagogical purposes to better understand.

I don't want to discourage you but it will be really hard, believe me.

You will need to master the C++ Standard Template Library. Without good knowledge of it you will find it impossible to read the main part of the code  even if your C++ is quite ok.

I recommend you, for that matter these books:

To get to grips with STL:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/STL-C-Programmers-Computer-Science/dp/0471971812

and

http://www.amazon.co.uk/STL-Programming-Ground-Herbert-Schildt/dp/0078825075

To get better with C++ I think you should go with this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Without-Fear-Barnes-Noble-Special/dp/013429968X


This may also help you:
Satoshi's Original Bitcoin Client - An Operational View
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=41718.0

I mean it can help you a bit, not too much

The best help you can get is of course from the core developers.
You can always ask them questions at IRC #bitcoin-dev
and on the developer section of this forum.
Just be careful with the n00b questions. Be wise! Their time is precious, sure. And you will not want to be wasting their time, of course.
They are quite friendly and always keen to help serious guys, that are genuinely interested in learning about the bitcoin protocol and source code.

You will have to work really really hard, and it won't be easy at all to bring something cool. But is possible. It is possible Very, very hard, but possible

Read the bitcoin protocol documentation at www.bitcoin.org and the wiki pages.

To get started with understanding bitcoin I keep recommending:

Watching 5 times - jotting notes - until tou undertsand it 100% the youtube video:
"United Colors of Bitcoin"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6sOFXHlhuE

and
then
watching 3 times - also jotting notes - until you understand it 100%
"How Bitcoin Works Under the Hood"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx9zgZCMqXE


To introduce someone to bitcoin in a very relaxed way, my favorite video is this:
Bitcoin | LIVE from the NYPL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR2pbJ_sYK8
Gavin was super eloquent, as always Quite a good panel and conversation.

[ivj94]

Woow, thanks remotemass 

[alwinlinzee]

Thank you remotemass for the beautiful sharing actually a lot of us which we could code our own coin with little or no help from anybody but your post could really make me a good student.