<p>Bitcoin scripts are intentionally very limited, and can only access data inherent to the transaction (not even the blockchain it is in), in order to guarantee consistency (a script's validity cannot change over time).</p>

<p>However, there do exist ways to integrate external state into Bitcoin, through the use of oracles. See <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Contracts#Example_4%3a_Using_external_state" rel="nofollow">this wiki page</a> for more information about those.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-21T18:08:39.827Z
2014-01-21T18:08:39.827Z
Pieter Wuille
<p>This very interesting <a href="http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2014/01/21/bitcoin-platform/" rel="nofollow">CCN Money article</a> states</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>a script uses a data input such as a regular Google search to monitor
  real-world events that would automatically trigger disbursements or
  other actions</p>
</blockquote>

<p>This part of the article suggests that the Bitcoin script could monitor external events, such as the result of a Google search, to trigger transfers. Can the Bitcoin script really do that?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-21T17:13:32.423Z
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Script and https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Contracts#Example_4:_Using_external_state are helpful
Tim S.
<script>
Can the Bitcoin script make a Google search?
Randomblue
# Can the Bitcoin script make a Google search?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-01-21)

This very interesting [CCN Money article](http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2014/01/21/bitcoin-platform/) states

> a script uses a data input such as a regular Google search to monitor
> real-world events that would automatically trigger disbursements or
> other actions

This part of the article suggests that the Bitcoin script could monitor external events, such as the result of a Google search, to trigger transfers. Can the Bitcoin script really do that?

**Tags:** script

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Script and https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Contracts#Example_4:_Using_external_state are helpful  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-01-21. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Bitcoin scripts are intentionally very limited, and can only access data inherent to the transaction (not even the blockchain it is in), in order to guarantee consistency (a script's validity cannot change over time).

However, there do exist ways to integrate external state into Bitcoin, through the use of oracles. See [this wiki page](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Contracts#Example_4%3a_Using_external_state) for more information about those.


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