FAQ

Answers to questions about Ethereum

Table of Contents

  * [Ethereum](#ethereum)
     * [What is Ethereum?](#what-is-ethereum)
     * [How do I buy Ether or ETH?](#how-do-i-buy-ether-or-eth)
     * [Where can I learn more about Ethereum?](#where-can-i-learn-more-about-ethereum)
     * [Where can I find the main project repositories?](#where-can-i-find-the-main-project-repositories)
     * [Where can I learn about the Ether sale and mining?](#where-can-i-learn-about-the-ether-sale-and-mining)
  * [Wallets](#wallets)
  * [Clients](#clients)
     * [Where can I find official releases?](#where-can-i-find-official-releases)
     * [How to install development builds?](#how-to-install-development-builds)
     * [How to install the clients from source?](#how-to-install-the-clients-from-source)
  * [Mining](#mining)
     * [How can I mine Ether?](#how-can-i-mine-ether)
  * [Contracts](#contracts)
     * [Where can I learn about contract development?](#where-can-i-learn-about-contract-development)
     * [Where can I learn Serpent, the Python-like language?](#where-can-i-learn-serpent-the-python-like-language)
     * [Where can I learn LLL, the Lisp-like language?](#where-can-i-learn-lll-the-lisp-like-language)
     * [Where can I learn Solidity, the JavaScript-like language?](#where-can-i-learn-solidity-the-javascript-like-language)
     * [How to test contracts?](#how-to-test-contracts)
     * [Where to find example contracts?](#where-to-find-example-contracts)
  * [ÐApps](#Ðapps)
     * [Where can I learn about the Ethereum APIs?](#where-can-i-learn-about-the-ethereum-apis)
     * [Where can I learn about ÐApp development?](#where-can-i-learn-about-Ðapp-development)
     * [Where can I find ÐApp development tools?](#where-can-i-find-Ðapp-development-tools)
     * [Where can I find example ÐApps?](#where-can-i-find-example-Ðapps)
  * [IRC](#irc)
     * [How can I join the Ethereum IRC channels?](#how-can-i-join-the-ethereum-irc-channels)

• More Questions and Answers

Created by gh-md-toc

Ethereum

What is Ethereum?

There are several ways to answer this question, which are introduced on the dedicated What is Ethereum wiki page, as well as Ethereum introduction.

If you prefer to learn by watching videos, see:

• Introducing Ethereum (Video, 10mi)
• Vitalik Buterin reveals Ethereum at Bitcoin Miami 2014 (Video, 28min)
• Singularity 1 on 1: Ethereum is a Decentralized Consensus Platform (Video, 69min)
• Our second Reddit "Ask Me Anything" for community selected questions (not actually a video)

How do I buy Ether or ETH?

Read this.

Where can I learn more about Ethereum?

• Main site: https://www.ethereum.org
• Forums: https://forum.ethereum.org
• Github: https://github.com/ethereum
• Blog: https://blog.ethereum.org
• Wiki: http://wiki.ethereum.org [Not working anymore]
• Meetups: http://ethereum.meetup.com
• Whitepaper: https://github.com/ethereum/wiki/wiki/White-Paper
• Yellow Paper: http://gavwood.com/paper.pdf
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ethereumproject
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/ethereumproject
• Google+: http://google.com/+EthereumOrgOfficial
• IRC Freenode: #ethereum (http://bitly.com/IRC_ethereum for weblink)
• Stack Exchange: https://ethereum.stackexchange.com

Where can I find the main project repositories?

• go-ethereum (@obscuren, @maran)
• Parity
• cpp-ethereum (@gavofyork, @programmerTim, @caktux)
• pyethereum (@vbuterin, @heikoheiko, @chenhouwu)
• ethereumj (@romanman, @nicksavers)
• ethereumjs-lib (@ethers, @wanderer)
• more repositories are in the Ethereum organisation on Github

Where can I learn about the Ether sale and mining?

• The Ether Sale FAQ
• The Mining FAQ

Wallets

If you have an issue with your wallet, an exchange or other matters relating to using the Ether cryptocurrency or making transactions, see this MyEtherWallet knowledge base. It answers many FAQs such as:

• transaction is not showing up or is pending forever
• ETH or Tokens sent to or from exchange haven't shown up / Transaction says complete, but funds haven't shown up yet
• Phish, Hacks, Thefts & stolen funds due to phishing messages on Slack / Reddit / Google Ads

Clients

Where can I find official releases?

Clients:

• Releases for Geth (Go)
• Releases for Parity (Rust)
• Releases for eth (C++)
• Releases for Pyethereum (Python)
• Releases for Ethereumj (Java)
• Releases for EthereumJS (Javascript)

Other:

• Releases for Mist (wallet and browser for dapps)
• Releases for Pyethapp (Python)
• Releases for Py-EVM (Python)

How to install development builds?

• Homebrew
  • Homebrew Ethereum (@caktux)
• Guides
  • eth/AlethZero super easy install guide for OSX (@stephantual)
  • Go-Ethereum simple build guide for OSX (@stephantual)
  • Building on Ubuntu
• Builds
  • Ethdev Buildbot

How to install the clients from source?

• Building eth/AlethZero (C++)
• Building Mist (Go)
• Installing Pyethereum (Python)
• Installing EthereumJ (Java)
• Installing Ethereumjs-lib (JavaScript for Browser and Node)

Mining

How can I mine Ether?

With eth/AlethZero

• To process transactions
  • Disable "Debug" > "Force Mining"
  • Click "Mine"
• To force mine (Use sparingly, unless stress testing)
  • Enable "Debug" > "Force Mining"
  • Click "Mine"

With the eth client

# Only force mine to acquire ether or stress test
$ eth --force-mining --mining on [YOUR OPTIONS...]

Contracts

Where can I learn about contract development?

• Articles
  • Ethereum Development Tutorial
• Videos
  • Ethereum
  • EtherCasts

Where can I learn Serpent, the Python-like language?

• Specifications
  • The Serpent Language
• Examples
  • Vitalik's Serpent examples
• Tutorials
  • Pyethereum and Serpent Programming Guide
• Videos
  • Learn Ethereum with Vitalik

Where can I learn LLL, the Lisp-like language?

• Specifications
  • The LLL Language
• Examples
  • LLL examples for PoC 5
• Videos
  • Programming Society with Asm

Where can I learn Solidity, the JavaScript-like language?

• Documentation

  • Solidity Documentation

• Tutorials

  • Contract Writing in Solidity

How to test contracts?

• EVM Contract Simulator (@EtherCasts)
• Pyethereum Tester (@ethereum)

Where to find example contracts?

• Serpent
  • By Vitalik Buterin (@vbuterin)
  • By EtherCasts (@EtherCasts)
  • By Rob Myers (@robmyers)
  • By Tyler Florez (@qualiabyte)
• LLL
  • By Gavin Wood (@gavofyork)
  • By Dennis Mckinnon (@dennismckinnon)
  • By Doug A. (@dlle9)

ÐApps

Where can I learn about the Ethereum APIs?

• The PoC 6 API for C++
• The PoC 5 API for Go
• The PoC 6 API for QML
• The PoC 7 API for JavaScript

Where can I learn about ÐApp development?

• Writing Your Own Currency (@maran)

Where can I find ÐApp development tools?

Official

• eth/AlethZero GUI client (C++)
• Eth command-line client (C++)
• LLLC Compiler (C++)
• Ethereum command-line client (Go)
• Mist Browser (Go)
• Pyeth command-line client (Python)
• Serpent Compiler (Python)

Community

• Emacs LLL Mode (@robmyers)
• Emacs Serpent Mode (@robmyers)
• EVM-Sim (@EtherCasts)
• MintChalk (@mintchalk)

Where can I find example ÐApps?

• dapp-bin (@ethereum)
• GavCoin (@gavofyork)
• JeffCoin (@obscuren)
• Make It Rain (@EtherCasts)
• Chronos (@mquandalle)
• Artworld-Ethereum (@robmyers)
• CryptoCoinWatch (@EtherCasts)
• Occam's Run (@d11e9)
• TrustDavis (@EtherCasts)

IRC

How can I join the Ethereum IRC channels?

• Chat with the ethereum dev community on IRC!

More Questions and Answers

• FAQ by @fivedogit