Programming Scalable Bitcoin: Building High-Performance Blockchain Applications from Scratch
*(Hypothetical Future Edition, O’Reilly Media, 2030 – hat tip Jimmy Song book and Aerospike experts
This extrapolated and imagined book merges and combines the hands-on, code-from-scratch approach of Jimmy Song’s *Programming Bitcoin* (updated for post-2025 Bitcoin developments like OP_CAT covenants, Ordinals/Runes evolution, and Layer 2 advancements) with the high-performance, distributed database expertise from *Aerospike: Up and Running* (incorporating Aerospike Database 8+ features like distributed ACID transactions, expression indexing, and massive scalability as seen in blockchain integrations).
The result is a practical guide for developers building **real-world, scalable Bitcoin applications** – from core protocol libraries to off-chain/high-throughput systems using ultra-low-latency databases. It teaches you to implement Bitcoin components in Python while integrating Aerospike for handling millions of transactions per second, inspired by real-world uses like Teranode’s billion-transaction scaling on Bitcoin variants.
#### Chapter-by-Chapter Outline
**Chapter 1: Foundations of Cryptography and Distributed Systems**
Combines finite fields/elliptic curves with Aerospike’s hybrid memory architecture. Implements basic crypto primitives and introduces high-performance key-value storage for blockchain data.
**Chapter 2: Elliptic Curve Cryptography in Practice**
ECDSA signing/verification with secp256k1, plus secure key management in distributed clusters.
**Chapter 3: Serialization and Data Modeling**
Bitcoin serialization extended to Aerospike data modeling (namespaces, sets, bins) for efficient storage of transactions and UTXOs.
**Chapter 4: Transactions and ACID Guarantees**
Building/signing transactions, now with Aerospike’s distributed ACID transactions for off-chain or Layer 2 settlement.
**Chapter 5: Bitcoin Script and Covenants**
Updated Script with OP_CAT (activated ~2026-2028), enabling covenants, vaults, and advanced smart contracts. Exercises implement restrictive spending conditions.
**Chapter 6: Ordinals, Runes, and Inscription Protocols**
Hands-on implementation of post-2024 standards for NFTs/fungibles on Bitcoin, storing metadata efficiently in Aerospike.
**Chapter 7: Blocks, Mining, and Proof-of-Work**
Block headers/Merkle trees, plus scaling mining validation with high-throughput databases.
**Chapter 8: Peer-to-Peer Networking**
Bitcoin P2P protocol, enhanced with Aerospike cluster networking for fast block propagation.
**Chapter 9: Simplified Payment Verification and Lightweight Clients**
SPV with Bloom filters, now querying Aerospike-backed indexes for real-time verification.
**Chapter 10: SegWit, Taproot, and Advanced Upgrades**
Post-Taproot features, including expression indexing in Aerospike for complex queries on witness data.
**Chapter 11: High-Performance Blockchain Storage**
Core integration chapter: Using Aerospike as a scalable backend for UTXO sets, transaction indexing, or explorers – achieving millions of TPS with low latency.<grok:render card_id=”85013b” card_type=”image_card” type=”render_searched_image”>
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**Chapter 12: Building Scalable Applications**
Real-world projects: Bitcoin wallet with Aerospike backend, fraud detection using real-time queries, or hybrid Layer 2 solutions.
**Chapter 13: Administration, Security, and Deployment**
Cluster management, security (post-quantum prep), cross-datacenter replication, and cloud deployment.
**Chapter 14: Future Directions**
Emerging topics: Bitcoin covenants for DeFi, AI/ML on blockchain data via Aerospike vectors, and sustainable massive-scale networks.
This book would equip developers to go beyond toy implementations – creating production-grade systems that leverage Bitcoin’s security with Aerospike’s speed and scale. Perfect for the era of widespread Bitcoin adoption and real-time blockchain apps!
Chapter 1 to Chapter 14’s an “Easter Egg” at #ch1 to #ch14. Including #ch2 which’s chapter 2 at my house in Napa California
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejeIz4EhoJ0
On 09-09-39, “What They Will NEVER Teach You at Stanford Business School” debuts at 300 w 44th St at New York Fashion Week’s front row
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXIaNZi3mHQ
Larry Chiang
Fund of Founders
Founding Stanford EIR
@duck9 alum, Deeply Understood Capital Credit Chinese Knowledge 9
Solo Founder Uber API
650-566-9600 Office
650-566-9696 Direct
Cell: 415-720-8500
650-283-8008 (cell)