Bitcoin: Problems with « reproducible » build on Windows: bitcoin-wallet git

Building a Bitcoin Wallet on Windows with Repeatable Issues: A Troubleshooting Guide

As a long-time enthusiast and developer of a popular cryptocurrency wallet, I have been trying to build my own copy of the Bitcoin Wallet (BWC) for far too long. Unfortunately, I have encountered a number of issues that prevent me from reproducing successful builds on Windows. In this article, I will describe the issues I have encountered with repeatable builds on Windows 11 and provide some troubleshooting steps to help you overcome these challenges.

Issues

My attempts to build a Bitcoin wallet have been plagued by several issues, including:

• Inconsistent build environments: Despite using the same version of Windows, I have noticed that the build process can produce different results each time.

• Repeatable errors: Whenever I try to build a BWC, I encounter various errors, such as syntax errors, linker errors, or undefined symbols.

• Different wallet versions: Each attempt to build BWC produced a slightly different version of the wallet code, which can lead to compatibility issues with various libraries and dependencies.

Exact versions used

To reproduce these issues, I used the following correct versions of Windows 11:

• Windows 11 (Build 22551) for testing

• Windows 10 (Version 19041.1681) as a reference point

Please note that these versions are not officially supported by the Bitcoin development teams and may contain different bug fixes or changes.

Troubleshooting steps

To overcome the reproducibility issues I encountered, follow these steps:

1. Create a new build environment with consistent dependencies

When building BWC on Windows, it is important to ensure that your build environment has consistent dependencies. To do this:

• Install all required libraries and dependencies using git clone with -b (build branch) flag to avoid conflicts.

• Use a virtual environment or a separate package manager like pip to better manage dependencies.

2. Check your build logs

Observe the build log files generated by your Bitcoin wallet to identify potential problems:

• Run git log in a terminal to view the commit history and identify any errors or warnings related to the build process.

• Use tools like pylint or flake8 to detect syntax errors, undefined variables, or other potential problems.

3. Enable debug logging

To gain more insight into the build process:

• Run git log --follow in a terminal to view a detailed commit history with log entries based on timestamps.

• Use tools like pdb (Python Debugger) to step through your code and check the values ​​of variables at specific points.

4. Test with minimal dependencies

To isolate problems, try to reduce the number of dependencies required by your Bitcoin wallet:

• Clone the repository using only the necessary libraries, such as libssl, openssl, or ssh2.

• Build BWC without additional modules like qt5 or gmp.

5. Seek help from online communities

Join online forums and discussion groups dedicated to Bitcoin development and ask for help:

• The official Bitcoin Wallet GitHub repository has a dedicated forum where users can share their experiences, ask questions, and provide feedback.

• Reddit’s r/BitcoinWallet community is another great source for seeking help from experienced developers.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to overcome the reproducibility issues I encountered while building a Bitcoin wallet on Windows. Remember to remain patient and persistent, as resolving these issues can take time and effort. Happy building!

price fluctuation long