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Dual-language design

WAX provides Hive blockchain protocol features to both Python and TypeScript/JavaScript through a shared C++ core. This architecture allows you to work with the same blockchain functionality in your preferred language while maintaining consistency and performance.

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Language bindings

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TypeScript/JavaScript

The TypeScript implementation uses WebAssembly (WASM) compiled from C++ via Emscripten:
  • Package: @hiveio/wax published to npm
  • Location: ts/wasm/lib/ in the source tree
  • Build target: WASM artifacts in ts/wasm/build_wasm/
  • Design principle: Minimal bundle size for web applications
import { createWaxFoundation, createHiveChain } from "@hiveio/wax";

// Offline operations (transaction building, signing, validation)
const wax = await createWaxFoundation();

// Online operations (API calls, broadcasting)
const chain = await createHiveChain();

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Python

The Python implementation uses Cython bindings compiled to native .so modules:
  • Package: hiveio-wax published to PyPI
  • Location: python/wax/ in the source tree
  • Bridge: cpp_python_bridge.pyx provides Cython bindings
  • Requirements: Python 3.14+
from wax import create_wax_foundation, create_hive_chain

# Offline operations
wax = create_wax_foundation()

# Online operations
chain = create_hive_chain()

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C++ core

The core/ subdirectory contains the common C++ implementation shared by both language bindings:

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Key components

class foundation {
public:
  std::string cpp_calculate_public_key(const std::string& wif);
  std::string cpp_generate_private_key();
  private_key_data cpp_generate_private_key(
    const std::string& account,
    const std::string& role,
    const std::string& password
  );
  // Transaction operations
  // Signing operations
  // Validation operations
};

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Core files

FilePurpose
foundation.cpp/hppCore transaction and cryptographic operations
api_converter.hppConverts between API JSON and protocol buffers
proto_converter.hppProtocol buffer conversion utilities
signing_keys_collector.cpp/hppExtracts required signing keys from transactions
binary_view_helper.cpp/hppBinary serialization metadata
operations_fwd.hppForward declarations for all operations
val_protocol.hppValidation rules for protocol operations

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Protocol buffers

WAX uses Protocol Buffers (protobuf) as the canonical format for representing blockchain operations and types. These definitions come from the Hive blockchain source in the hive/ submodule: Source location: hive/libraries/protocol/proto/

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Generation process

1

TypeScript generation

Protocol buffers are compiled to TypeScript using ts-proto:
# Output location
ts/wasm/lib/proto/

# Pattern tracking
ts/protobuf_patterns/
2

Python generation

Protocol buffers are compiled to Python using grpcio-tools:
# Output location
python/wax/_private/proto/

# Pattern tracking
python/protobuf_patterns/

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Example operation definitions

export interface transfer {
  from: string;
  to: string;
  amount: asset | undefined;
  memo: string;
}

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Entry points

Both language implementations provide two main entry points that separate offline and online functionality:

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Offline operations (Foundation)

import { createWaxFoundation } from "@hiveio/wax";

const wax = await createWaxFoundation();

// Available operations:
// - Transaction building
// - Transaction signing
// - Transaction validation
// - Cryptographic operations
// - No network calls
Implementation:
  • TypeScript: ts/wasm/lib/detailed/base.ts
  • Python: python/wax/wax_factory.py

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Online operations (Chain)

import { createHiveChain } from "@hiveio/wax";

const chain = await createHiveChain({
  apiEndpoint: "https://api.hive.blog",
  restApiEndpoint: "https://api.syncad.com"
});

// Includes all Foundation operations plus:
// - API calls to Hive nodes
// - Transaction broadcasting
// - Account queries
// - Block retrieval
Implementation:
  • TypeScript: ts/wasm/lib/detailed/chain.ts
  • Python: python/wax/_private/chain_api.py

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Project structure

The repository is organized to maintain separation between language implementations while sharing the core: 
wax/
├── core/                    # Shared C++ implementation
│   ├── foundation.cpp/hpp   # Core operations
│   ├── api_converter.hpp    # JSON ↔ Proto conversion
│   └── signing_keys_collector.cpp/hpp
│
├── hive/                    # Git submodule (Hive blockchain)
│   └── libraries/protocol/proto/  # Protocol definitions
│
├── ts/                      # TypeScript implementation
│   ├── wasm/lib/detailed/   # Core implementation
│   │   ├── base.ts          # createWaxFoundation()
│   │   ├── chain.ts         # createHiveChain()
│   │   ├── transaction.ts   # Transaction class
│   │   └── api/             # API type definitions
│   └── packages/            # Extension packages (signers)
│
└── python/                  # Python implementation
    └── wax/
        ├── wax_factory.py           # Entry points
        ├── cpp_python_bridge.pyx    # Cython bindings
        └── _private/
            ├── transaction.py       # Transaction class
            └── api/                 # API implementation

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Build process

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TypeScript

1

Compile protobuf definitions

# Generate TypeScript types from .proto files
ts-proto → ts/wasm/lib/proto/
2

Compile C++ to WASM

# Use Emscripten to compile C++ core
emcc → ts/wasm/build_wasm/
3

Build TypeScript

pnpm run build
# Compiles TS and bundles with WASM

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Python

1

Compile protobuf definitions

# Generate Python types from .proto files
grpcio-tools → python/wax/_private/proto/
2

Compile Cython bindings

# Build native extension modules
cython → .so files
3

Build wheel

./python/wax/scripts/build_wax.sh
# Creates distributable wheel

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Performance characteristics

TypeScript/WASM

  • Near-native performance in browsers
  • Small bundle size (optimized for web)
  • Instant startup
  • Memory-efficient

Python/Cython

  • Native C++ performance
  • Direct memory access
  • Minimal overhead
  • Ideal for server applications

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Next steps

Transactions

Learn how transactions work in WAX

Operations

Understand operations and protocol buffers

Signing

Explore transaction signing and wallets

Quickstart

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