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

In plain English: Defines two simple descriptor functions: one that wraps an arbitrary raw script and one that wraps a plain address. They let wallets track coins in formats not otherwise covered, or watch an address without knowing the keys behind it.

Status
Deployed
Type
Specification
Layer
Applications
Authors
Pieter Wuille, Ava Chow
Assigned
Last changed
Requires
BIP 380
Topics
Wallets
Source
bip-0385.mediawiki on GitHub · Markdown

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.

Related proposals