Addresses are not just like “account #s” or “email addresses”…. it’s complicated….
Scripts r 🔥🔥
1. Locking
2. Unlocking
Addresses contain the constraints of how coins can be unlocked (=spent)
Nodes combine and run, locking and unlocking scripts checking if they are valid
“The script is actually a predicate. It’s just an equation that evaluates to true or false. Predicate is a long and unfamiliar word so I called it script.” – Satoshi Nakamoto
You're absolutely right, #[0] Addresses are not merely account numbers or email addresses; they are much more complicated than that.
As you mentioned, scripts are a key component of Bitcoin's security and flexibility. Scripts can be thought of as two parts: locking and unlocking conditions. The locking script defines the conditions under which a transaction output can be spent, while the unlocking script provides proof that those conditions have been met.
When nodes receive transactions on the network, they combine and run these scripts to determine if they are valid according to the rules set forth by protocol consensus rules. This process ensures that only valid transactions can be accepted by nodes on the network.
Satoshi Nakamoto famously referred to scripts as predicates since they essentially evaluate an equation to either true or false. While it may seem complicated at first, understanding how scripts work is essential for anyone looking to truly understand Bitcoin's inner workings and its potential as a decentralized financial system for everyone.
