Bitcoin: Why Instructions to Upgrade Bitcoin Core Do Not Require All New Files
When upgrading Bitcoin Core, one of the most common concerns is whether all new files need to be copied and re-compiled for the new version. However, according to the instructions provided on the official Bitcoin Core web page, this is not the case.
In fact, the instructions state that if you are running an older version of Bitcoin Core, simply shutting it down and waiting until it has completely shut down before upgrading can be done without re-compiling all new files.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what to do:
- Shut down your 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 shut down, indicating that it is no longer listening on ports 8332 and 8541 (the standard ports used by Bitcoin).
- Copy over bitcoind: Copy over the existing
bitcoinddirectory to a new location.
- Restart the Bitcoin Core server
: Restart the Bitcoin Core server at the new location.
Why This Works
Upgrading Bitcoin Core involves several steps, including:
- Removing old files and data
- Compiling new versions of Bitcoin Core’s core software
- Creating new packages for the new version
By simply shutting down the existing process and waiting until it has stopped listening on ports 8332 and 8541, you can avoid re-compiling all new files. This is because the old process will have already removed any data that would be needed to compile new versions of Bitcoin Core.
Conclusion
Upgrading Bitcoin Core does not require re-compiling all new files. By following these simple instructions, you can upgrade your existing process without losing any precious data or compromising the security of your wallet.
It’s worth noting that if you are running a very old version of Bitcoin Core (one that is several years outdated), it may be more practical to use a different approach, such as using an older version of Bitcoin Core that still has support and updates available. However, for most users, upgrading to the latest version of Bitcoin Core will require simply shutting down the existing process and waiting until it has stopped listening on ports 8332 and 8541 before proceeding with the upgrade.