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[209.85.217.72]) by gwsmtp.prod.mo.hdems.com with ESMTPS id gwsmtpd-trans-0cdd34e7-8c28-4a81-9e52-b6f2fce52676 for ; Wed, 15 Sep 2021 06:14:49 +0000 Received: by mail-vs1-f72.google.com with SMTP id i2-20020a67e2c20000b02902bae9a0967fso382599vsm.0 for ; Tue, 14 Sep 2021 23:14:48 -0700 (PDT) X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=1e100.net; s=20210112; h=x-gm-message-state:mime-version:from:date:message-id:subject:to; bh=R+xvnfsU0tD23An2bIS+vo8vNULyu0cwq7MwgtuArMk=; b=j8wJ/UkNXYtHfR2EhY4cKnoGpxSNt3/jQHe5xrj6nIBqeuJSyT6iBNKVSyRe7glW/X 57s9UqF/IPTRFhr+8kXpDJvQzCgrWv0FsSuxDhw2TqZf4gZOq2XRX8CohRA2KmXeKelZ 0KRFnXrz7IGdncE1zrZ3keE3iMFzmYyBKgrpJqVZbX4OUnzctZZ1wWZbHPdez/vAlZEN DrF0AIvYXPDPIU07XgaCy9U76yemDhGw+x/RKU3u+8vM4vKnKnLJcAMcxw+X248aM/Dm x810jY18LsnY3h14vet9yzHLhY1fMeXDXi6CQb2z5wubZYASm81vJbIOQiWKzkdR+kd+ ssAw== X-Gm-Message-State: AOAM532/jQEdCYQ5xW1fT36zW64xcgnVA/cXpdeu+9ee8PwkARfFlQCL 7Sm4b0AoeeMtdYiL+Ln7HvkbO9CDLwU3CSpyz9ixxyTWf10R0FQI3RkchBK7JhZfb4CCdbp2CR/ ZmPyoG6mFhCgNqZ2rAHRYtyb7eAp3shbHuZaFU+furBV5AgeaKol8t6Fuxl9HrkIoU5+VfeV5O8 CAx9MU4PVlwBCtyhSfvgB1qqX06+5CblXE5Gam6v6iZxodtKnoEQMSdTk4HLSNJ5ASHv7aIrZqX cwUj7zJYJbdZZ6wo49KpdK3GkmNxR4K3dP6GgLduPrOX1qixcKH1fnkNniNNs4oJHfau2F/O+P4 8Jq2SZejxVmMW+OrvtyhUOimd9Ni X-Received: by 2002:a05:6102:ac6:: with SMTP id m6mr2178443vsh.55.1631686488127; Tue, 14 Sep 2021 23:14:48 -0700 (PDT) X-Google-Smtp-Source: ABdhPJyf1X5jFzIDqeiPOUXQyKlljAltuX723MbYzJLIniXQg9wmLj9OFNi01qIszG6Mtb9lCaHgNPNVHNlCxkRsTJg= X-Received: by 2002:a05:6102:ac6:: with SMTP id m6mr2178431vsh.55.1631686487539; Tue, 14 Sep 2021 23:14:47 -0700 (PDT) MIME-Version: 1.0 From: Karl-Johan Alm Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2021 15:14:31 +0900 Message-ID: To: Bitcoin Protocol Discussion Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Subject: [bitcoin-dev] BIP extensions X-BeenThere: bitcoin-dev@lists.linuxfoundation.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.15 Precedence: list List-Id: Bitcoin Protocol Discussion List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2021 06:20:50 -0000 BIPs are proposals. They begin as ideas, are formulated and discussed on this list, and assuming no glaring flaws are observed, turned into pull requests to the bips repository, assigned a BIP number by the editors, and merged. It is then organically incorporated into the various entities that exist in the Bitcoin space. At this point, it is not merely a proposal, but a standard. As entities place their weight behind a BIP, it makes less and less sense to consider its author the "maintainer" of the BIP, with rights to modify it at their whim. Someone may have agreed to the proposal in its original form, but they may disagree with it if it is altered from under their feet. BIPs are modified for primarily three reasons: 1. Because of spelling errors, or to otherwise improve on their description without changing what is actually proposed. 2. To improve the proposal in some way, e.g. after discussion or after getting feedback on the proposed approach. 3. To add missing content, such as activation strategy. I propose that changes of the second and third type, unless they are absolutely free from contention, are done as BIP extensions. BIP extensions are separate BIPs that extend on or an existing BIP. BIP extensions do not require the approval of the extended-upon BIP's author, and are considered independent proposals entirely. A BIP that extends on BIP XXX is referred to as BIP-XXX-Y, e.g. BIP-123-1, and their introductory section must include the wording " This BIP extends on (link: BIP-XXX). ". By making extensions to BIPs, rather than modifying them long after review, we are giving the community 1. the assurance that a BIP will mostly remain in its form forever, except if an obvious win is discovered, 2. the ability to judge modifications to BIPs, such as activation parameters, on their merits alone, and 3. the path to propose modifications to BIPs even if their authors have gone inactive and cease to provide feedback, as is the case for many BIPs today, as BIP extensions do not require the approval of the extended-upon BIP. (Apologies if this has been proposed already. If so, feel free to ignore this message, and sorry to have wasted your time.)