Ethereum: How was the magic network ID value chosen?

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The Mysterious Magic Value: Unraveling the Secret Behind Ethereum’s ID

The Ethereum blockchain, a pioneer in the cryptocurrency space, has long fascinated developers and enthusiasts alike with its unique features and protocols. One of the most fascinating aspects of Ethereum is the magic value system that underpins its decentralized network. In this article, we’ll look at how the values 0xD9B4BEF9 and 0xDAB5BFFA were chosen for messages on the Bitcoin network and testnet.

The Magic Value System: A Brief Introduction

In the early days of cryptocurrencies, developers sought to create a decentralized platform that would enable secure and transparent communication between users. To achieve this goal, they developed a system that used cryptographic techniques to assign unique IDs to each message sent over the network. These identifiers were called “magic values” or “addresses”.

The magic value system was first introduced in 2014 by Vitalik Buterin, one of the co-founders of Ethereum. It allowed developers to create and manage their own addresses for sending and receiving cryptocurrency.

Magic value: 0xD9B4BEF9

In the Bitcoin network, messages are identified by a unique sequence of blocks that make up each transaction. Each block has a header containing information about the sender’s public key, which serves as a magic value. The first two characters of this header are “D9,” followed by a 64-byte hash.

The reason for choosing the specific values 0xD9B4BEF9 is historical. These values were previously used on the Bitcoin network, but with the introduction of the native Ethereum cryptocurrency, these addresses became obsolete. By reusing the existing magic value system, Ethereum was able to maintain compatibility and avoid disrupting existing user behavior.

Magic value: 0xDAB5BFFA

In contrast, messages on the testnet are identified by a different sequence of numbers that begin with “DAB.” These values were chosen for several reasons. First, they are different from those on the Bitcoin network, which minimizes confusion and ensures seamless integration.

Additionally, using these new magic values allowed the Ethereum testnet to operate independently of the mainnet, creating an environment where developers could experiment with new features and protocols without worrying about potential conflicts or disruptions.

Conclusion

The choice of 0xD9B4BEF9 and 0xDAB5BFFA for both Bitcoin and testnet messages is a testament to Ethereum’s commitment to starting from scratch. By leveraging existing infrastructure, developers can focus on building innovative applications without worrying about compatibility issues.

This strategic decision not only helped maintain user trust, but also facilitated the development of new protocols and features that are now integrated into the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.

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Ethereum: How was the magic network ID value chosen?