How consensus for updating bitcoin software is made?

[quantum_bit]

Hi all,

I am new in bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. I have had a question in my head for some times:
I understand that bitcoin which is open-source has experienced several updates since released by Satoshi Nakamoto several years ago. However, I do not understand what is the mechanism of updating the bitcoin software? How the consensus is made i.e. how the network agree on installing new updates by unknown developers?

Thanks!

[joniboini]

The node would just run the new software with the new updates if they feel like they agree with it. If they don't agree with the updates, then they can run the old software or even run another one which in turn will create a split if there are enough people to do that. The update will first get pushed to the source-code and 'approved' by the maintainer.

Most updates are known beforehand, and most of them are open-source, so it's not like they're going to install some unknown code to their system. Nobody is going to do that if that's how it works.

[Kemarit]

You can find what you are looking for here: Contributing to Bitcoin Core.

And they are not "unknown developers", I advise you to read the following blogs:

1. A Gentle Introduction to Bitcoin Core Development by Jimmy Song
2. Contributing to Bitcoin Core, a personal account by John Newbery
3. Onboarding to Bitcoin Core by Amiti Uttarwar
4. How to Review Pull Requests in Bitcoin Core by Jon Atack

[MicroGuy]

Hi all,

I am new in bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. I have had a question in my head for some times:
I understand that bitcoin which is open-source has experienced several updates since released by Satoshi Nakamoto several years ago. However, I do not understand what is the mechanism of updating the bitcoin software? How the consensus is made i.e. how the network agree on installing new updates by unknown developers?

Thanks!

The honest and easy answer is whatever Blockstream decides happens.

[TalkStar]

I do not understand what is the mechanism of updating the bitcoin software? How the consensus is made i.e. how the network agree on installing new updates by unknown developers?

You may watch this video for getting some knowledge about FSF (Free Software Development) first.

Richard Stallman's TEDx video: "Introduction to Free Software and the Liberation of Cyberspace"

You can more information about bitcoin software, update and nodes below;

• All about free software
• Bitcoin core upgrading
• All necessary guidelines on Github

• Find answers to recurring questions and myths about Bitcoin.