Tying into the bitcoin network programmatically

[yadda]

Hello all,

I need to be able to tie into the bitcoin network "programmatically."  No, I don't need, or want, to use the bitcoin client.  I guess perhaps I need to embed client functionality (or a part of it) into my own software, and or write my own code to achieve the same effect.

I guess what I need is the ability for people to be able to transfer bitcoins in and out of accounts which my software will provide for them.

I HAVE tried to find this information on my own.  I've come across a plethora of FAQs and Getting Starteds and blah blah.  But I've found nothing which provides the info I need.  I guess I need some sort of a "programmer's guide to bitcoin."

If anyone can point me to a resource or resources on this, I'd be most appreciative.

Thanks.

[DeathAndTaxes]

Hello all,

I need to be able to tie into the bitcoin network "programmatically."  No, I don't need, or want, to use the bitcoin client.  I guess perhaps I need to embed client functionality (or a part of it) into my own software, and or write my own code to achieve the same effect.

I guess what I need is the ability for people to be able to transfer bitcoins in and out of accounts which my software will provide for them.

I HAVE tried to find this information on my own.  I've come across a plethora of FAQs and Getting Starteds and blah blah.  But I've found nothing which provides the info I need.  I guess I need some sort of a "programmer's guide to bitcoin."

If anyone can point me to a resource or resources on this, I'd be most appreciative.

Thanks.

More than one way to do it but the bitcoin client comes with a daemon called bitcoind.  Using RPC calls you can have the bitcoind do anything the client can do (and some things it can't).

[Stephen Gornick]

Hello all,

I need to be able to tie into the bitcoin network "programmatically."  No, I don't need, or want, to use the bitcoin client.  I guess perhaps I need to embed client functionality (or a part of it) into my own software, and or write my own code to achieve the same effect

 - http://bitcoinmedia.com/libbitcoin-first-steps/

[chrisrico]

Another option is BitcoinJ for Java (or the port BitcoinSharp for .Net). We're currently using BitcoinJ to develop our project (with bitcoind interface as a backup).

[drawoc]

The typical (and most well-tested) route would be to run bitcoind, like DeathAndTaxes said.

Bitcoind is just the normal client, but without the gui, and with an interface for programmatic access. (It's in the same download as the GUI client)
Then, you talk to bitcoind with the JSON-RPC interface.

These links on the wiki should help:
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Running_Bitcoin
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/PHP_developer_intro
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/API_reference_%28JSON-RPC%29
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Original_Bitcoin_client/API_Calls_list

[yadda]

Not so sure I want to control a demon with RPCs, although it's an option I guess.

As for the Java route, I'm not a Java programmer....

Is there any kind of generic library or API?

Thanks.

EDIT:  Checking into Stephen Gormick's link about libbitcoin, and will check the other links.  Anything else?

[chrisrico]

Is there any kind of generic library or API?

Not really. The closest thing to what you're asking is libbitcoin, but I believe that it is in the very early stages of development, even compared to BitcoinJ. Your best bet is probably using the bitcoind API (as linked earlier in the thread) or some third party service.