Chain, a start-up technology blockchain, is trying to facilitate the writing of smart contracts on the bitcoin blockchain.
The San Francisco-based company released an open-source compiler that translates between Ivy, Chain's high-level intelligent contract language, and Bitcoin Script, the low-level programming language of the first and largest blockchain to the world. ]
According to the latest article in Chain's blog, Ivy aims to help developers write SegWit-compatible bitcoin addresses that apply arbitrary combinations of conditions supported by the bitcoin protocol, including signature checks, commit- hash and timelocks.
As previously stated, Ivy was presented at a public event in December 2016.
Limitations of the language
Although the advanced smart contract feature of the ethereum is a key feature that differentiates it from bitcoin, the latter allows developers to write smart contracts using the Bitcoin script.
However, the limitations of the underlying virtual machine made the language difficult to write.
"The development of the Bitcoin script is considered somewhat esoteric", we read in Chain's blog.
However, it should be noted that the Ivy language is currently more for educational and research purposes because it is an untested prototype software.
Disclosure: CoinDesk is a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which owns a stake in Chain.
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