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The difference is that Bitcoin supports a limited number of smart contract types (due to limitations in its scripting language.) To create new types, it require

The difference is that Bitcoin supports a limited number of smart contract types (due to limitations in its scripting language.) To create new types, it requires changes to the Bitcoin scripting language, protocol, and runtime, followed by a coordinated soft fork. This is a pretty heavyweight process. Ethereum is effectively a generalized distributed computer -- so new types of contracts can be written, tested, and iterated on readily, without requiring a change to Ethereum itself. > Ethereum does, however, enjoy a massive marketing advantage. I really don't think that's true. I'd wager that the majority of the public that is aware of Bitcoin has no idea what Ethereum is.

apo 9y ago
Bitcoin smart contracts are based on the language Script: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Script https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Script Opcodes and values can be combined to yield a vast array of possible contracts, just like any programming language. Templates are not used, except to activate the full language capabilities (i.e., P2SH). Ethereum is effectively a generalized distributed computer -- so new types of contracts can be written, tested, and iterated on readily, without requiring a change to Ethereum itself. Bitcoin is not a generalized distributed computer, but it does allow new types of contracts to be written, tested, and iterated on readily, without requiring a change to Bitcoin itself. I really don't think that's true. I'd wager that the majority of the public that is aware of Bitcoin has no idea what Ethereum is. Nevertheless, Ethereum - through the Ethereum Foundation and is sizable war chest, has a far more concerted marketing effort.
- vadimberman 9y ago
  > Opcodes and values can be combined to yield a vast array of possible contracts, just like any programming language. It's not Turing-complete and doesn't even have loops (or goto to provide an alternative). Definitely not "like any programming language", you could as well try to use Brainfuck (which is, BTW, Turing-complete).

apo 9y ago

Bitcoin smart contracts are based on the language Script: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Script https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Script Opcodes and values can be combined to yield a vast array of possible contracts, just like any programming language. Templates are not used, except to activate the full language capabilities (i.e., P2SH). Ethereum is effectively a generalized distributed computer -- so new types of contracts can be written, tested, and iterated on readily, without requiring a change to Ethereum itself. Bitcoin is not a generalized distributed computer, but it does allow new types of contracts to be written, tested, and iterated on readily, without requiring a change to Bitcoin itself. I really don't think that's true. I'd wager that the majority of the public that is aware of Bitcoin has no idea what Ethereum is. Nevertheless, Ethereum - through the Ethereum Foundation and is sizable war chest, has a far more concerted marketing effort.

vadimberman 9y ago
> Opcodes and values can be combined to yield a vast array of possible contracts, just like any programming language. It's not Turing-complete and doesn't even have loops (or goto to provide an alternative). Definitely not "like any programming language", you could as well try to use Brainfuck (which is, BTW, Turing-complete).