READ THE CODE

Inside Bitcoin

The code behind the network, with room to understand it.

Stable release v32.1bitcoin/bitcoin · f0de87f04062 ↗3,020 source files · 47.5 MB stored on the server340 file guides

Release published 2026-10-28 · Snapshot fetched 2026-11-01. Latest stable release at fetch time; development branches and Git history are excluded. Only the selected code window and visible folders load here.

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1// Copyright (c) 2023-present The Bitcoin Core developers
2// Distributed under the MIT software license, see the accompanying
3// file COPYING or http://www.opensource.org/licenses/mit-license.php.
4
5#ifndef BITCOIN_UTIL_CHAINTYPE_H
6#define BITCOIN_UTIL_CHAINTYPE_H
7
8#include <optional>
9#include <string>
10#include <string_view>
11
12enum class ChainType {
13    MAIN,
14    TESTNET,
15    SIGNET,
16    REGTEST,
17    TESTNET4,
18};
19
20std::string ChainTypeToString(ChainType chain);
21
22std::optional<ChainType> ChainTypeFromString(std::string_view chain);
23
24#endif // BITCOIN_UTIL_CHAINTYPE_H
25

FILE GUIDE · KEY SECTIONS

A typed list of Bitcoin networks

ChainType is a small enum used when selecting a network. Conversion helpers separate the typed value from its configuration string.

Line 12 ↗

Keep network choices explicit

MAIN, TESTNET, TESTNET4, SIGNET and REGTEST are distinct choices. The enum describes Bitcoin networks; it is not a list of different cryptocurrencies or wallet account types.

Line 22 ↗

Represent unknown names as failure

Parsing returns an optional value. Callers must handle an unrecognized string instead of silently falling back to a network, especially when addresses, RPC ports or data directories depend on that choice.

Independent explanations by MyBitcoinExplorer. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Bitcoin Core. Guides are educational and do not replace the source or its tests.

Bitcoin Core source © its contributors, distributed under the MIT license. Original notices and bundled third-party licenses are retained in the source tree.