1.6 KiB
15.1: Building the Regtest
NOTE: This is a draft in progress, so that I can get some feedback from early reviewers. It is not yet ready for learning.
This document explains how to build a Regtest (Regression Test) by hand to be able to develop new applications without the need to interact with other peers and blocks. Bitcoin Core’s regression test mode (regtest mode) lets you instantly create a brand-new private block chain with the same basic rules as testnet—but one major difference: you choose when to create new blocks, so you have complete control over the environment.
Starting Bitcoind in Regtest Mode
After setting up your Bitcoin-Core VPS, you are now able to use the Regtest mode. To start Bitcoind (Bitcoin Daemon) in Regtest mode and create a private Blockchain, you have to use the following command:
$ bitcoind -regtest -daemon
Resetting the Regtest Blockchain
Regtest wallets and block chain state (chainstate) are saved in the regtest subdirectory of the Bitcoin configuration directory:
user@mybtc:~/.bitcoin# ls
bitcoin.conf regtest testnet3
If you want to start a brand new Blockchain using the Regtest mode, all you have to do is delete the regtest folder and restart the Bitcoind:
$ rm -rf regtest
What's Next?
After starting your bitcoind in the Regtest mode, you can now use Regtest-specific RPC commands to generate/mine blocks in your private chain. This will allow you to get balance in your wallet and test the Regtest blockchain.