user3667: Since we're just trying to produce a specific hash output, couldn't the nonce also include letters or otherwise random bits?

user2306: Technically, the nonce is just 4 bytes that are ignored. There's no reason why the block couldn't contain "Nick" in ASCII, or somebody's phone number. 
That being said:

the fastest way to mine is to start with a nonce of all 0's, then increment it.
an easier way to embed data into the blockchain is to use fields in the coinbase.


user85: The nonce is an arbitrary string of bits with no particular meaning. Typically they are converted into an unsigned integer for convenience. Every possible set of nonce bits has a corresponding integer in this representation.
To get letter in a nonce, you'd have to present the bits in the nonce in some encoding scheme that had some way to encode letters. There is no such scheme in common use.

3667: <p>Since we're just trying to produce a specific hash output, couldn't the nonce also include letters or otherwise random bits?</p>
 2306: <p>Technically, the nonce is just 4 bytes that are ignored. There's no reason why the block couldn't contain "Nick" in ASCII, or somebody's phone number. </p>

<p>That being said:</p>

<ol>
<li>the fastest way to mine is to start with a nonce of all 0's, then increment it.</li>
<li>an easier way to embed data into the blockchain is to use fields in the coinbase.</li>
</ol>
 85: <p>The nonce is an arbitrary string of bits with no particular meaning. Typically they are converted into an unsigned integer for convenience. Every possible set of nonce bits has a corresponding integer in this representation.</p>

<p>To get letter in a nonce, you'd have to present the bits in the nonce in some encoding scheme that had some way to encode letters. There is no such scheme in common use.</p>
