Published on: 2011-08-12T16:43:22+00:00
In August 2011, Gavin Andresen proposed a modification to the Bitcoin protocol that would allow for more tolerance when inputting addresses or other data manually. This modification involved changing the variable name 'pszDecode58' to 'pnDecode58' in a branch. However, Gavin expressed his concern about the potential trouble this change could cause with vanity addresses that don't work in blockexplorer if theymos decides not to modify his code.The discussion around this modification highlighted the need to introduce vanity addresses only after the community has accepted them as legitimate representations. Gavin believed that gracefully handling typos would be a sensible solution to address this concern.The modification itself permits the use of certain characters interchangeably, making it easier for users to input addresses or other data manually. It specifically allows for inputs using zero and uppercase 'O' instead of lowercase 'O', as well as lowercase 'L', bar/pipe, and exclamation point instead of one. The change was implemented through a Git command that merged two branches of the Bitcoin codebase.By allowing for more flexibility in inputting addresses, this modification is expected to improve the user experience for those who manually type in Bitcoin addresses or other data. Additionally, it provides more options for creating vanity addresses, which are personalized addresses that contain specific strings of characters.Overall, this modification aims to enhance usability and expand the possibilities for Bitcoin users, while also considering the importance of maintaining compatibility with existing systems and practices.
Updated on: 2023-08-01T02:16:10.993757+00:00