<blockquote>
  <p>A bitcoin node is a user which is connected to the network through a client. This node can perform transactions, try to build a block inside a mining pool, or just exist in the network. Are there any further actions for a node?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Nodes also relay blocks and transactions to other nodes. They also validate incoming blocks and transactions and keep track of the current, longest valid blockchain. That's pretty much it.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If a node exists inside the network how can he verify the transactions?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>There are a set of mathematical rules that determine if transactions are valid. The nodes check the transactions against those rules. If they meet the rules, they are valid.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Furthermore is there a paper or something that explains things in a lower level of how exactly the system works in case of transactions and mining? I do not want a description but something more technical.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Almost every question you can think of is answered, in technical detail, somewhere in the <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Main_Page" rel="nofollow">Bitcoin wiki</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-05T14:19:00.993Z
I am seeking more information about how transactions / blocks are relayed and how they are validated. Can you point me to some reference in the wiki or to some other point?
angel limneos
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-05T18:44:04.783Z
@angellimneos Start with the [whitepaper](http://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf).
David Schwartz
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-05T03:04:32.947Z
2014-01-05T03:04:32.947Z
David Schwartz
<p>I have read the wiki page and I would like some further and more technical(if possible) confirmation for a few things. 
A bitcoin node is a user which is connected to the network through a client. This node can perform transactions, try to build a block inside a mining pool, or just exist in the network. Are there any further actions for a node?
If a node exists inside the network how can he verify the transactions?
Furthermore is there a paper or something that explains things in a lower level of how exactly the system works in case of transactions and mining? I do not want a description but something more technical.</p>

<protocol>
Bitcoin Nodes actions
angel limneos
# Bitcoin Nodes actions

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-01-04)

I have read the wiki page and I would like some further and more technical(if possible) confirmation for a few things.
A bitcoin node is a user which is connected to the network through a client. This node can perform transactions, try to build a block inside a mining pool, or just exist in the network. Are there any further actions for a node?
If a node exists inside the network how can he verify the transactions?
Furthermore is there a paper or something that explains things in a lower level of how exactly the system works in case of transactions and mining? I do not want a description but something more technical.

**Tags:** protocol


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-01-05. Score: 1

> A bitcoin node is a user which is connected to the network through a client. This node can perform transactions, try to build a block inside a mining pool, or just exist in the network. Are there any further actions for a node?

Nodes also relay blocks and transactions to other nodes. They also validate incoming blocks and transactions and keep track of the current, longest valid blockchain. That's pretty much it.

> If a node exists inside the network how can he verify the transactions?

There are a set of mathematical rules that determine if transactions are valid. The nodes check the transactions against those rules. If they meet the rules, they are valid.

> Furthermore is there a paper or something that explains things in a lower level of how exactly the system works in case of transactions and mining? I do not want a description but something more technical.

Almost every question you can think of is answered, in technical detail, somewhere in the [Bitcoin wiki](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Main_Page).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I am seeking more information about how transactions / blocks are relayed and how they are validated. Can you point me to some reference in the wiki or to some other point?  
> **username_1**: @username_0 Start with the [whitepaper](http://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf).  

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