Bitcoin: Using Bitcoin Core Regtest in the Classroom

Using Bitcoin Core in Regtest in a Classroom WiFi Network

As an educator, you’re looking for a hands-on way to introduce your students to the world of Bitcoin and Regtest. One exciting option is to set up a classroom WiFi network that allows students to use Bitcoin Core in a controlled environment. In this article, we’ll explore how to use Bitcoin Core in Regtest using a WiFi network.

Background

Regtest is a command-line tool developed by Nick Szabo that allows users to test their local Bitcoin blockchain without the need for a full node or mining hardware. With Regtest, students can run simple transactions and observe the block creation process without having to worry about the complexity of running a full node.

Bitcoin Core, on the other hand, is the software that runs the entire Bitcoin network. It’s a full-node implementation that allows users to participate in the Bitcoin network and access various features such as transaction verification, wallet management, and more.

Setting up a Classroom WiFi Network

To set up a classroom WiFi network using Regtest with Bitcoin Core, you’ll need:

• A laptop or desktop with internet connection: Students will use these devices to interact with Regtest.

• Bitcoin Core installed on your laptop or desktop: You can download and install Bitcoin Core from [

• Regtest installed on your laptop or desktop

  

  : You can download and install Regtest from [

Setting Up Bitcoin Core in a Class

To use Bitcoin Core with Regtest, you’ll need to set up a testnet environment that allows students to generate coins and send transactions. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Start the Bitcoin Core daemon: Run bitcoincore-cli start to start the Bitcoin Core daemon.

• Set up the testnet: You can use Regtest to set up the testnet by running regtest -addr -port where is your node’s IP address and is the port you want to use (default is 8333).

* For example, if you have a laptop with an IP address of 192.168.1.100 and you want to use port 8333, run regtest -addr 192.168.1.100:8333 -port 8333.

• Generate coins: Run regtest --getnewaddress to generate a new address for the student.

• Send transactions: Students can now send transactions using Regtest by running regtest . For example, if you want to send 1 Bitcoin from node : to another node :, run regtest -txhash :.

• Observe the block creation process: Regtest will display information about the transaction, including the block height and timestamp.

Tips and Variations

• To enable transaction verification on your testnet, you can use the -verbose flag with Regtest: regtest --getnewaddress -verbose.

• You can also set up a network with multiple nodes using Regtest by running regtest --addnode , where is another node’s IP address.

• To add more features to your testnet, such as transaction fees or block rewards, you’ll need to modify the Regtest code.

Conclusion

Using Bitcoin Core in a classroom WiFi network with Regtest provides students with an interactive way to learn about the blockchain and cryptocurrency. By setting up a testnet environment, you can have students generate coins, send transactions, and observe the block creation process without worrying about the complexity of running a full node or mining hardware. This hands-on approach will help your students develop essential skills in cryptography, programming, and problem-solving, preparing them for real-world applications in the field of cryptocurrency.