x16rt_hash

A Python C extension module for the X16RT proof-of-work hash function. This module provides high-performance cryptographic hashing used in blockchain mining.

Features

• Fast C implementation - Compiled C extension for optimal performance
• Python 3.8+ - Modern Python support (Python 2 no longer supported)
• Deterministic - Same input always produces the same output
• 32-byte output - Produces 256-bit hash digests
• Cross-platform - Works on Linux, macOS, and Windows

Prerequisites

Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

sudo apt-get install python3-dev build-essential

macOS

xcode-select --install

Windows

• Install Microsoft C++ Build Tools or Visual Studio Community
• Or use MinGW-w64

Installation

From Source

Clone the repository and install:

git clone https://github.com/AvianNetwork/x16rt_hash.git
cd x16rt_hash
pip install -e .

For Development

Install in editable mode with development tools:

pip install -e ".[dev]"

Usage

import x16rt_hash
from binascii import hexlify, unhexlify

# Input must be exactly 80 bytes (typical blockchain block header)
input_data = unhexlify('0000002049963e9e46701e28e2dd44f61dea241ba3a457979fa3b378822c6cc24457bc2500a0da644814e2a43cc163f3f37590982e1e2f5ac45d1de2f8222750fea1c844f8d2315c824d111b120979e30000')

# Generate hash
hash_result = x16rt_hash.getPoWHash(input_data)

# Display as hex string
print(hexlify(hash_result).decode())
# Output: 40abc3e30ba0552a7910c0acd5b46a5f8dbf287e0108ee679d59070000000000

API Reference

getPoWHash(data: bytes) -> bytes

Computes the X16RT proof-of-work hash.

Parameters:

• data (bytes): Input data, must be exactly 80 bytes

Returns:

• bytes: 32-byte hash digest

Raises:

• TypeError: If input is not bytes
• ValueError: If input length is not exactly 80 bytes

Testing

Run the comprehensive test suite:

# Run the test script
python test.py

# Or using unittest discovery
python -m unittest discover

# Or using pytest (if installed)
pytest test.py -v

The test suite includes:

• Known hash vector validation
• Output format and size verification
• Determinism checking
• Invalid input handling

Building Wheels

Build distribution wheels for all supported platforms:

pip install cibuildwheel
cibuildwheel --output-dir wheelhouse

This requires Docker on Linux or can use native build tools on macOS/Windows.

Supported Python Versions

• Python 3.8+
• CPython only (PyPy not supported due to C extension)

Algorithm Details

X16RT combines 16 cryptographic hash algorithms in a sequence determined by the block timestamp:

• Base algorithms: BLAKE, BMW, CubeHash, Echo, Fugue, Grøstl, HAMSI, JH, Keccak, Luffa, SHABAL, SHAvite, SIMD, Skein, Whirlpool, SHA-512
• Time-based ordering: The algorithm sequence is determined by hashing the block timestamp
• Sequential hashing: Each algorithm's output becomes the input to the next
• Output: Final 32 bytes of the result hash

For more details on the algorithm, see the comments in x16rt.c.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please ensure:

• Code follows existing style conventions
• Changes include tests
• All tests pass: python test.py

License

Licensed under the MIT/X11 software license. See the LICENSE file for details.

Authors

• Original X16R algorithm: The Ravencoin Core developers
• X16RT implementation: The Veil Core developers
• Current maintainers: The Avian Core developers