Dust

[jadair10]

Is "dust" in the blockchain handled differently than non-dust? Dust being really small transactions.

Is there a better definition of dust?

[Chugaa]

As far as I am aware it is all treated the same, not entirely sure though!

[sondosso]

As far as I am aware it is all treated the same, not entirely sure though!

I believe that dust and non dust are handled the same, and also I think it is important to be aware that the definition of dust changes as the value of BTC increases (or decreases).

However, I am not 100% sure either.

[jadair10]

I believe that dust and non dust are handled the same, and also I think it is important to be aware that the definition of dust changes as the value of BTC increases (or decreases).

I would think the definition would take into the account the value of BTC changes as it relates to fiat as part of the definition.

[odolvlobo]

Is "dust" in the blockchain handled differently than non-dust? Dust being really small transactions.

Is there a better definition of dust?

Bitcoin "dust" generally refers to transactions that have very small values. Very small transactions (in terms of value) and very large transactions (in terms of bytes) are usually given lower priority by nodes unless they are accompanied by a transaction fee. A low priority can delay confirmation of the transaction, and potentially even prevent confirmation.

[DannyHamilton]

I believe that dust and non dust are handled the same, and also I think it is important to be aware that the definition of dust changes as the value of BTC increases (or decreases).

I would think the definition would take into the account the value of BTC changes as it relates to fiat as part of the definition.

The blockchain itself is just a list of transactions (grouped into blocks, with a header for each block).

Transactions are just a list of inputs that are being spent, and a list of outputs indicating what address now has control of the value.

There is no special handling of "dust" in the blockchain.  They are just outputs.

Clients (or wallets) on the other hand may have special handling of "dust".  Some wallets my refuse to display any dust outputs associated with your addresses.  Others may handle the spending of "dust" outputs poorly and result in excessive transaction fees on any transactions you create.  Some wallets may refuse to relay transactions that have "dust" outputs.

[jadair10]

I believe that dust and non dust are handled the same, and also I think it is important to be aware that the definition of dust changes as the value of BTC increases (or decreases).

I would think the definition would take into the account the value of BTC changes as it relates to fiat as part of the definition.

The blockchain itself is just a list of transactions (grouped into blocks, with a header for each block).

Transactions are just a list of inputs that are being spent, and a list of outputs indicating what address now has control of the value.

There is no special handling of "dust" in the blockchain.  They are just outputs.

Clients (or wallets) on the other hand may have special handling of "dust".  Some wallets my refuse to display any dust outputs associated with your addresses.  Others may handle the spending of "dust" outputs poorly and result in excessive transaction fees on any transactions you create.  Some wallets may refuse to relay transactions that have "dust" outputs.

I understand. Can clients go transaction fee free? Say in the case that I do not care if it took a week to be included into the blockchain.

[cp1]

Without a fee it may never get included in the blockchain.  Check the wiki for fee guidelines.  Miners are free to set their own guidelines, but they're usually pretty close:  https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Transaction_fees

[DannyHamilton]

I understand. Can clients go transaction fee free? Say in the case that I do not care if it took a week to be included into the blockchain.

There aren't many clients that will allow you to even attempt to send a transaction that is larger than 10 kilobytes, has outputs less than 0.01 BTC, or has low priority without including a fee.  It can be done though.  The problem you run into is that there is no requirement in bitcoin for any peer to relay that transaction for you, and no requirement for any miner to ever mine it for you.  Therefore, you run a small risk that it could take months, years, or decades for it to confirm (if ever).  The receiver of the transaction isn't going to be very happy with you if they still don't have confirmation on the transaction after a long time.

[JosephA]

There has been at least one technical definition of dust, which you can find here: https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/2577. Essentially, no transaction with an output of less than 5430 satoshis will be relayed no matter what the fee is.