Troubleshooting
This page provides comprehensive guidance for resolving common issues, debugging techniques, performance optimization strategies, and security considerations for BSV blockchain development. These resources will help you overcome obstacles and build robust, secure applications.
🔍 Common Issues
Transaction Issues
Transaction Rejection
Transaction not accepted by nodes
Fee too low, invalid format, non-standard script
Ensure adequate fee, verify transaction format, check script compliance
Transaction Stuck
Transaction not confirming
Low fee, network congestion, dependency issues
Use replace-by-fee, wait for confirmation, check dependencies
Double Spend Attempts
Conflicting transactions
Multiple spending attempts, malicious activity
Wait for confirmations, implement proper UTXO management
Invalid Transaction Format
Transaction creation fails
Incorrect input/output structure, script errors
Verify transaction structure, check script syntax
UTXO Management Issues
Missing or incorrect UTXOs
Poor UTXO tracking, concurrent spending
Implement proper UTXO tracking, use locking mechanisms
Resolving Transaction Rejection
If your transaction is being rejected:
Check Fee Rate
Ensure fee is adequate (typically 0.5 satoshis/byte or higher)
Use fee estimation services to determine appropriate fee
Consider dynamic fee calculation based on network conditions
Verify Transaction Format
Validate transaction structure using a transaction decoder
Ensure inputs reference valid, unspent outputs
Verify output values are above dust threshold
Check Script Compliance
Ensure scripts follow standard formats
Verify script size is within limits
Test scripts in isolation before including in transactions
Network Rules Compliance
Check transaction size against network limits
Verify transaction follows all consensus rules
Test on testnet before mainnet deployment
Node Issues
Node Synchronization
Node not syncing or slow sync
Network issues, resource constraints, corrupted data
Check network, increase resources, resync from scratch
Node Crashes
Unexpected shutdowns
Memory issues, disk space, software bugs
Increase memory, free disk space, update software
Connection Problems
Few or no peers
Firewall issues, network configuration, DNS problems
Check firewall, verify network settings, configure DNS
Block Validation Errors
Rejected blocks
Consensus rule violations, data corruption
Verify consensus rules, check data integrity
Performance Degradation
Slow response times
Resource contention, database issues, network bottlenecks
Optimize resources, maintain database, check network
Resolving Node Synchronization Issues
If your node is not synchronizing properly:
Check Network Connectivity
Verify internet connection is stable
Ensure required ports are open (8333 for mainnet)
Check DNS resolution for seed nodes
Verify Resource Availability
Ensure sufficient disk space (>500GB recommended)
Verify adequate RAM (>8GB recommended)
Check CPU utilization and temperature
Database Maintenance
Consider reindexing the blockchain database
Check for database corruption
Optimize database configuration
Configuration Optimization
Adjust connection limits appropriately
Configure proper dbcache size
Consider using assumevalid parameter
Wallet Issues
Balance Discrepancy
Incorrect balance shown
Unconfirmed transactions, synchronization issues
Wait for confirmations, resync wallet
Key Management Problems
Unable to sign transactions
Key corruption, incorrect derivation, access issues
Verify key material, check derivation path, restore from backup
Address Generation Issues
Incorrect addresses
Derivation path errors, library incompatibilities
Verify derivation path, check library compatibility
Transaction Signing Failures
Unable to create valid signatures
Key access issues, incorrect signing algorithm
Check key access, verify signing algorithm
Wallet Recovery Problems
Unable to restore wallet
Incorrect seed phrase, wrong derivation path
Verify seed phrase, check derivation path
Resolving Wallet Recovery Issues
If you're having trouble recovering a wallet:
Verify Seed Phrase
Check for typos in seed phrase
Ensure correct word list (BIP39)
Verify seed phrase length (typically 12 or 24 words)
Check Derivation Path
Verify correct derivation path for BSV (m/44'/236'/0')
Try alternative common paths if necessary
Consider scanning multiple derivation paths
Wallet Software Compatibility
Ensure wallet software supports BSV
Try alternative compatible wallet software
Check for version-specific issues
Recovery Process
Follow wallet-specific recovery procedures
Consider professional recovery services for critical wallets
Maintain proper backups for future recovery needs
Smart Contract Issues
Contract Execution Failure
Script evaluation fails
Logic errors, resource limits, syntax issues
Debug script logic, optimize resource usage, check syntax
Unexpected Contract Behavior
Contract behaves differently than expected
Logic flaws, edge cases, misunderstanding of script execution
Unit test thoroughly, review logic, understand script execution model
Contract Integration Issues
Applications can't interact with contracts
Interface mismatches, protocol misunderstandings
Verify interfaces, understand protocol requirements
Contract Upgrade Problems
Unable to upgrade contract functionality
Design limitations, state management issues
Design for upgradability, plan state management
Contract Security Vulnerabilities
Exploitable contract behavior
Logic flaws, insufficient validation, economic attacks
Security audit, comprehensive testing, economic analysis
Resolving Contract Execution Failures
If your smart contract is failing to execute:
Script Validation
Verify script syntax is correct
Check for stack manipulation errors
Ensure proper handling of all execution paths
Resource Optimization
Optimize script for size and complexity
Reduce unnecessary operations
Consider breaking complex logic into multiple contracts
Testing and Debugging
Use script debuggers to step through execution
Create test cases for edge conditions
Verify against known working examples
Contract Design Review
Review overall contract design
Consider alternative approaches
Consult with experienced contract developers
🐞 Debugging Techniques
Transaction Debugging
Transaction Tracing
To trace transaction flow and identify issues:
Transaction ID Tracking
Track transaction through blockchain explorers
Monitor transaction status in mempool
Verify input and output details
Input/Output Analysis
Verify input UTXOs exist and are unspent
Check output values and script formats
Analyze change output calculations
Script Debugging
Use script debuggers to step through execution
Verify stack state at each step
Check for script evaluation failures
Network Propagation Analysis
Monitor transaction propagation across nodes
Check for rejection messages
Verify transaction reaches miners
Transaction Debugging Tools
Transaction Visualizer
Visualize transaction structure
Graphical representation, relationship mapping
Node Debugging
Node Diagnostic Techniques
To diagnose node-related issues:
Log Analysis
Enable debug logging (
debug=<category>)Filter logs for relevant information
Look for error patterns and warnings
Network Diagnostics
Check peer connections (
getpeerinfo)Verify network traffic patterns
Test connectivity to known nodes
Resource Monitoring
Monitor CPU, memory, disk, and network usage
Check for resource bottlenecks
Correlate resource usage with node behavior
Database Verification
Check database integrity
Verify UTXO set consistency
Monitor database growth and performance
Node Debugging Tools
Application Debugging
Application Diagnostic Techniques
To debug BSV applications:
API Interaction Tracing
Log all API requests and responses
Verify correct API usage
Check for API error responses
Transaction Lifecycle Tracking
Track transactions from creation to confirmation
Monitor state changes throughout lifecycle
Identify points of failure
State Management Debugging
Verify application state consistency
Check for race conditions
Monitor state transitions
Integration Testing
Test component interactions
Verify system behavior under various conditions
Simulate failure scenarios
Application Debugging Tools
Application Profiler
Profile application performance
Performance metrics, bottleneck identification
Smart Contract Debugging
Contract Diagnostic Techniques
To debug smart contracts:
Script Execution Tracing
Trace script execution step by step
Monitor stack and altstack state
Identify execution failures
Test Vector Validation
Create comprehensive test vectors
Test edge cases and boundary conditions
Verify expected behavior
Contract Simulation
Simulate contract execution in controlled environment
Test various input conditions
Verify output states
Formal Verification
Apply formal verification techniques
Prove contract properties mathematically
Identify logical inconsistencies
Contract Debugging Tools
⚡ Performance Optimization
Transaction Optimization
Fee Optimization
To optimize transaction fees:
Fee Calculation Strategies
Calculate fees based on transaction size
Consider fee market conditions
Implement dynamic fee adjustment
Transaction Size Reduction
Minimize input and output count
Use efficient script templates
Consider input/output consolidation
UTXO Selection Optimization
Select UTXOs to minimize fees
Balance UTXO consolidation and splitting
Consider future transaction needs
Batching Strategies
Batch multiple payments in single transactions
Optimize batching frequency
Balance batching benefits against confirmation needs
Throughput Optimization
To optimize transaction throughput:
Parallel Transaction Processing
Process multiple transactions concurrently
Implement non-blocking transaction creation
Optimize resource utilization
Transaction Pipelining
Pipeline transaction creation, signing, and broadcasting
Minimize processing bottlenecks
Optimize workflow for continuous throughput
Broadcasting Strategies
Implement efficient broadcasting mechanisms
Consider direct-to-miner submission
Optimize network utilization
Confirmation Management
Implement appropriate confirmation strategies
Balance speed and security requirements
Consider zero-confirmation techniques where appropriate
Application Optimization
Resource Utilization
To optimize application resource usage:
Memory Management
Minimize memory footprint
Implement efficient data structures
Consider memory pooling for frequent allocations
CPU Optimization
Profile and optimize CPU-intensive operations
Implement parallel processing where appropriate
Consider algorithm optimization
Disk I/O Optimization
Minimize disk operations
Implement efficient caching
Optimize data storage formats
Network Optimization
Reduce network round trips
Implement efficient data serialization
Consider connection pooling and reuse
Scalability Strategies
To improve application scalability:
Horizontal Scaling
Design for distributed deployment
Implement stateless components where possible
Consider service-oriented architecture
Vertical Scaling
Optimize for multi-core utilization
Implement efficient threading models
Balance resource allocation
Caching Strategies
Implement multi-level caching
Consider cache invalidation strategies
Optimize cache hit ratios
Load Balancing
Implement effective load distribution
Consider dynamic scaling
Optimize routing strategies
Data Optimization
Storage Efficiency
To optimize data storage:
Data Compression
Implement appropriate compression techniques
Balance compression ratio and processing overhead
Consider domain-specific compression
Data Normalization
Normalize data structures
Eliminate redundancy
Optimize for query patterns
Indexing Strategies
Implement efficient indexing
Balance index maintenance overhead
Optimize for query patterns
Archiving Strategies
Implement data lifecycle management
Archive historical data
Maintain accessibility of archived data
Query Optimization
To optimize data queries:
Query Design
Design efficient queries
Minimize result set size
Implement pagination where appropriate
Index Utilization
Ensure queries utilize available indexes
Monitor index usage
Optimize index design for query patterns
Caching Query Results
Cache frequently accessed query results
Implement appropriate cache invalidation
Monitor cache hit ratios
Query Execution Plans
Analyze query execution plans
Optimize problematic queries
Consider query rewriting
Network Optimization
Connection Management
To optimize network connections:
Connection Pooling
Implement connection reuse
Optimize pool size
Monitor connection utilization
Keep-Alive Strategies
Implement appropriate keep-alive mechanisms
Balance connection maintenance overhead
Optimize timeout settings
Connection Prioritization
Prioritize critical connections
Implement quality of service mechanisms
Balance resource allocation
Failure Handling
Implement robust connection failure handling
Consider automatic reconnection
Implement circuit breaker patterns
Protocol Efficiency
To optimize protocol usage:
Message Optimization
Minimize message size
Implement efficient serialization
Consider batching messages
Protocol Selection
Choose appropriate protocols for different needs
Consider protocol overhead
Optimize protocol configuration
Handshake Optimization
Minimize handshake overhead
Implement session resumption where applicable
Optimize authentication mechanisms
Compression Strategies
Implement protocol-level compression
Consider selective compression
Balance compression benefits and overhead
🔒 Security Considerations
Transaction Security
Input Validation
To ensure transaction input security:
UTXO Verification
Verify UTXO existence and spendability
Check for confirmation status
Validate UTXO ownership
Amount Validation
Verify input amounts
Check for dust thresholds
Validate against expected values
Script Validation
Verify script format and compliance
Check for script injection attacks
Validate against expected templates
Signature Verification
Implement thorough signature validation
Check for signature malleability
Verify signature coverage
Output Security
To ensure transaction output security:
Address Validation
Verify address format and checksum
Validate against expected address types
Check for address manipulation
Amount Verification
Verify output amounts
Check for unexpected changes
Validate fee calculations
Change Management
Implement secure change address generation
Verify change amount calculation
Check for change address manipulation
Script Security
Validate output scripts
Check for script injection
Verify against expected templates
Key Management
Private Key Security
To secure private keys:
Secure Storage
Implement encrypted storage
Consider hardware security modules
Minimize key exposure
Key Generation
Use secure random number generation
Implement proper entropy collection
Verify key quality
Key Usage
Minimize key exposure during usage
Implement secure signing environments
Consider transaction signing isolation
Key Backup
Implement secure backup procedures
Consider multi-location backups
Verify backup integrity
HD Wallet Security
To secure hierarchical deterministic wallets:
Seed Phrase Security
Implement secure seed phrase generation
Provide secure storage guidance
Consider physical security measures
Derivation Path Security
Use standard derivation paths
Validate derivation path integrity
Protect derivation metadata
Child Key Management
Implement proper child key derivation
Minimize master key exposure
Consider hardened derivation
Wallet Recovery
Implement secure recovery procedures
Verify recovery integrity
Consider recovery testing
Application Security
Authentication and Authorization
To secure application access:
User Authentication
Implement strong authentication mechanisms
Consider multi-factor authentication
Protect authentication credentials
Session Management
Implement secure session handling
Consider session timeout and renewal
Protect session identifiers
Authorization Controls
Implement granular access controls
Validate authorization for all actions
Consider principle of least privilege
API Security
Implement API authentication
Validate API authorization
Consider API rate limiting
Data Protection
To protect application data:
Data Encryption
Encrypt sensitive data
Implement proper key management
Consider encryption at rest and in transit
Input Validation
Validate all user inputs
Implement input sanitization
Consider input filtering
Output Encoding
Encode output appropriately
Prevent injection attacks
Consider context-specific encoding
Data Minimization
Collect only necessary data
Implement data retention policies
Consider data anonymization
Smart Contract Security
Contract Design Security
To design secure smart contracts:
Logic Verification
Verify contract logic correctness
Check for logic flaws
Consider formal verification
Input Validation
Validate all contract inputs
Check for boundary conditions
Consider input sanitization
Economic Analysis
Analyze economic incentives
Check for economic attacks
Consider game theory implications
Upgrade Mechanisms
Implement secure upgrade paths
Consider immutability implications
Plan for version management
Contract Implementation Security
To implement secure smart contracts:
Secure Coding Practices
Follow secure coding guidelines
Implement code reviews
Consider pair programming
Testing and Verification
Implement comprehensive testing
Consider test-driven development
Verify against security properties
Security Auditing
Conduct security audits
Consider third-party reviews
Implement audit recommendations
Deployment Security
Implement secure deployment procedures
Verify deployment integrity
Consider deployment testing
📋 Troubleshooting Checklist
Pre-Deployment Checklist
Before deploying BSV applications:
Transaction Validation
Verify transaction creation and signing
Test transaction broadcasting
Confirm transaction confirmation
Security Review
Conduct security assessment
Review authentication and authorization
Verify data protection measures
Performance Testing
Test under expected load
Verify resource utilization
Confirm performance metrics
Integration Testing
Test all external integrations
Verify API interactions
Confirm system behavior
Incident Response Checklist
When responding to production incidents:
Issue Identification
Identify affected components
Determine impact scope
Establish issue timeline
Containment Measures
Implement immediate mitigations
Prevent further impact
Secure affected systems
Root Cause Analysis
Investigate underlying causes
Collect relevant data
Document findings
Resolution and Recovery
Implement permanent fixes
Verify resolution effectiveness
Restore normal operation
Maintenance Checklist
For ongoing system maintenance:
Regular Updates
Apply security patches
Update dependencies
Maintain compatibility
Performance Monitoring
Monitor system performance
Identify optimization opportunities
Address performance degradation
Security Auditing
Conduct regular security reviews
Test for vulnerabilities
Implement security improvements
Backup Verification
Verify backup integrity
Test recovery procedures
Maintain backup currency
🔗 Additional Resources
Community Support
For additional troubleshooting support:
Developer Forums
Post questions on BSV Developer Forum
Search for similar issues
Share your solutions
Technical Support
Contact BSV Technical Support
Provide detailed issue information
Follow up on recommendations
Community Channels
Join BSV Discord for real-time help
Participate in community discussions
Connect with experienced developers
Issue Reporting
Report bugs on appropriate GitHub repositories
Provide reproduction steps
Share workarounds if available
Knowledge Base
For additional troubleshooting knowledge:
Technical Documentation
Review Critical Documentation
Consult relevant specifications
Study best practices
Troubleshooting Guides
Explore specific troubleshooting guides
Follow step-by-step resolution procedures
Apply relevant solutions
Case Studies
Learn from real-world examples
Understand common pitfalls
Apply lessons learned
Educational Resources
Take relevant courses
Study troubleshooting methodologies
Develop debugging skills
Note: This troubleshooting guide is continuously updated based on community feedback and emerging issues. If you encounter issues not covered here, please contribute your solutions to help others.
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