Bitcoin: Why instructions to upgrade Bitcoin Core do not require all new files?
Bitcoin: Why Bitcoin Core Update Instructions Don’t Require All New Files
When upgrading Bitcoin Core, one of the most common issues is the need to copy and recompile all the new files for the new version. However, according to the instructions provided on the official Bitcoin Core webpage, this is not the case.
In fact, the instructions say that if you are using an older version of Bitcoin Core, you should close it and wait until it is completely shut down before performing the upgrade without having to recompile all the new files.
Here is a step-by-step description of what to do:
- Close Bitcoin Core: Make sure to close the terminal or console where you are running Bitcoin Core.
- Wait for shutdown: Wait until the Bitcoin Core process has completely finished, which means it will no longer be listening on ports 8332 and 8541 (the standard ports used by Bitcoin).
- Copy bitcoind
: Copy the existing
bitcoinddirectory to a new location.
- Restart Bitcoin Core Server: Restart the Bitcoin Core server in the new location.
Why it works
Upgrading Bitcoin Core involves several steps, including:
- Deleting old files and data
- Compiling new versions of the Bitcoin Core software.
- Creating new packages for the new version
By waiting for the existing process to terminate and stop listening on ports 8332 and 8541, you can avoid recompiling all the new files. This is because the old process has already deleted all the data needed to compile the new versions of Bitcoin Core.
Conclusion
Upgrading Bitcoin Core does not require recompiling all the new files. By following these simple instructions, you can upgrade your existing process without losing any valuable data or compromising the security of your wallet.
It is worth noting that if you are using a very old version of Bitcoin Core (outdated by several years), it may be more practical to take a different approach, such as using an older version of Bitcoin Core that is still supported and updated. However, for most users, upgrading to the latest version of Bitcoin Core will require stopping the existing process and waiting for it to stop listening on ports 8332 and 8541 before continuing with the upgrade.
