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I have recently finished installing the Bitcoin client. One site i was using to help guide me is called http://www.weusecoins.com/en/. On the mining guide section of that site it says, If you're mining on your own you need to start by setting up your Bitcoin client and set it up for JSON-RPC. I was trying to figure out what it is and how to set it up if i need it but i could not figure it out. My questions then are what is JSON-RPC and do i need it ? Is it set up by default in the original Bitcoin client ?

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    To answer your questions in order: Only to mine or automate payments; no.
    – Nick ODell
    Jun 4, 2013 at 20:24
  • Are you saying no its not needed or no its not set up by default ? If i need it to mine how do i enable it ?
    – NewBitcoiner
    Jun 4, 2013 at 21:43
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    You need to set up the bitcoin.conf file for it to work. You also need to make sure you allow Json-rpc commands in the .conf file. You can find a sample configuration file here:en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Running_Bitcoin#Sample_Bitcoin.conf. YOu dont need it to mine. Only if you are trying to use bitcoin data on your own site or for your custom fpga miner or something along those lines
    – Enthusiast
    Jun 5, 2013 at 1:53
  • You mentioned it could be needed for custom FPGA. What about for an ASIC from butterfly labs when it ships ?
    – NewBitcoiner
    Jun 5, 2013 at 17:17

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The JSON-RPC interface is a way for other programs to interact with Bitcoin-Qt or bitcoind while it's running. It's useful for doing things like mining or building a web site that needs to talk to the Bitcoin network directly. Most users don't need to worry about it or set it up.

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  • Useful to miners you say ? Will i need this for an ASIC ?
    – NewBitcoiner
    Jun 5, 2013 at 17:18
  • You may, if you want to solo mine (I wouldn't advise that). Otherwise, no.
    – Colin Dean
    Jun 5, 2013 at 18:59
  • Why would you not advise solo mining ? Also how would i know if i need it or not while solo mining ?
    – NewBitcoiner
    Jun 5, 2013 at 20:19
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    You will need it for solo mining. I don't advise solo mining because of the inconsistency of return. You could solo mine for months or years and not see a return.
    – Colin Dean
    Jun 7, 2013 at 1:26

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