If someone forked the code without changing any of the fundamental properties and connected nodes / miners, could they not disrupt the main (original chain)?
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4What exactly would they change? What do you mean by "disrupt"? – Nate Eldredge Jun 23 '19 at 15:28
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1I agree with Nate, you'll need to be more specific what remains the same and what changes to be able to get a good answer. For example, do you count the "Genesis Block" among the fundamental properties? Does the forked version use different ports, network magic, etc.? – Murch♦ Jun 23 '19 at 21:35
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1if the forked nodes are able to communicate with original nodes (for block propagation), and the rules are all the same, then you would be on the same chain. – JBaczuk Jun 24 '19 at 2:03
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So what I mean is this, Bitcoin in its current form running chain A, then someone comes along and runs a new version but from the genesis block again, so from 0 TX onwards without previous history. Would this not upset the current chain if the nodes connected to the same network or would the existing nodes simply reject it ? – Lets Talk Crypto Jun 24 '19 at 6:06
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Full nodes would simply follow the best chain, which means that they would ignore this new chain and end up on the existing chain. – Murch♦ Jul 18 '20 at 1:31
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Yes, this is currently happening. There are many different implementations of the Bitcoin protocol. You can see here the a graph of how many people are currently using different implementations.
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2running a different implementation does not necessarily mean that you have a different chain. – JBaczuk Jun 24 '19 at 2:01
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thanks this is helpful. I am researching for an article and just want to cover my bases. kudos. – Lets Talk Crypto Jun 24 '19 at 6:07
