BIP 385: raw() and addr() Output Script Descriptors

0385 - Final - Informational - June 27, 2021 (5 years ago)

Number
385
Status
Final
Type
Informational
Created
June 27, 2021
License
BSD-2-Clause

June

27

2021

  BIP: 385
Layer: Applications
Title: raw() and addr() Output Script Descriptors
Author: Pieter Wuille <[email protected]>
Ava Chow <[email protected]>
Comments-Summary: No comments yet.
Comments-URI: https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/wiki/Comments:BIP 385
Status: Final
Type: Informational
Created: 2021-06-27
License: BSD-2-Clause
Requires: 380

Abstract

This document specifies raw() and addr() output script descriptors. raw() encapsulates a raw script as a descriptor. addr() encapsulates an address as a descriptor.

This BIP is licensed under the BSD 2-clause license.

Motivation

In order to make descriptors maximally compatible with scripts in use today, it is useful to be able to wrap any arbitrary output script or an address into a descriptor.

Specification

Two new script expressions are defined: raw() and addr() .

raw()

The raw(HEX) expression can only be used as a top level descriptor. As the argument, it takes a hex string representing a Bitcoin script. The output script produced by this descriptor is the script represented by HEX .

addr()

The addr(ADDR) expression can only be used as a top level descriptor. It takes an address as its single argument. The output script produced by this descriptor is the output script produced by the address ADDR .

Test Vectors

Valid descriptors followed by the scripts they produce.

  • raw(deadbeef)
    • deadbeef
  • raw(512103a34b99f22c790c4e36b2b3c2c35a36db06226e41c692fc82b8b56ac1c540c5bd4104a34b99f22c790c4e36b2b3c2c35a36db06226e41c692fc82b8b56ac1c540c5bd5b8dec5235a0fa8722476c7709c02559e3aa73aa03918ba2d492eea75abea23552ae)
    • 512103a34b99f22c790c4e36b2b3c2c35a36db06226e41c692fc82b8b56ac1c540c5bd4104a34b99f22c790c4e36b2b3c2c35a36db06226e41c692fc82b8b56ac1c540c5bd5b8dec5235a0fa8722476c7709c02559e3aa73aa03918ba2d492eea75abea23552ae
  • raw(a9149a4d9901d6af519b2a23d4a2f51650fcba87ce7b87)
    • a9149a4d9901d6af519b2a23d4a2f51650fcba87ce7b87
  • addr(3PUNyaW7M55oKWJ3kDukwk9bsKvryra15j)
    • a914eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee87

Invalid descriptors

  • Non-hex script: raw(asdf)
  • Invalid address: addr(asdf)
  • raw nested in sh : sh(raw(deadbeef))
  • raw nested in wsh : wsh(raw(deadbeef))
  • addr nested in sh : sh(addr(3PUNyaW7M55oKWJ3kDukwk9bsKvryra15j))
  • addr nested in wsh : wsh(addr(3PUNyaW7M55oKWJ3kDukwk9bsKvryra15j))

Backwards Compatibility

raw() and addr() descriptors use the format and general operation specified in 380 . As this is a wholly new descriptor, it is not compatible with any implementation. The reuse of existing Bitcoin addresses allows for this to be more easily implemented.

Reference Implementation

raw() and addr() descriptors have been implemented in Bitcoin Core since version 0.17.

View on GitHub

Authors

Pieter Wuille

Pieter Wuille

Pieter Wuille is a highly respected Bitcoin Core developer, known for his …

Ava Chow