Merge pull request #549 from nspcc-dev/serialization-and-struct-improvements

Serialization and struct improvements

This set improves serialization/deserialization performance and, more
importantly, simplifies memory management for some structures avoiding
useless copying.

It adds some percents to the 1,4M blocks import test.

pkg/consensus/consensus.go

@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ func (s *service) verifyBlock(b block.Block) bool {
 
 func (s *service) processBlock(b block.Block) {
 	bb := &b.(*neoBlock).Block
-	bb.Script = s.getBlockWitness(bb)
+	bb.Script = *(s.getBlockWitness(bb))
 
 	if err := s.Chain.AddBlock(bb); err != nil {
 		s.log.Warnf("error on add block: %v", err)

pkg/consensus/payload.go

@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ func (p *Payload) SetHeight(h uint32) {
 }
 
 // EncodeBinaryUnsigned writes payload to w excluding signature.
-func (p Payload) EncodeBinaryUnsigned(w *io.BinWriter) {
+func (p *Payload) EncodeBinaryUnsigned(w *io.BinWriter) {
 	w.WriteLE(p.version)
 	w.WriteBytes(p.prevHash[:])
 	w.WriteLE(p.height)

pkg/consensus/payload_test.go

@@ -339,10 +339,10 @@ func newMinerTx(nonce uint32) *transaction.Transaction {
 		Data: &transaction.MinerTX{
 			Nonce: rand.Uint32(),
 		},
-		Attributes: []*transaction.Attribute{},
+		Attributes: []transaction.Attribute{},
-		Inputs:     []*transaction.Input{},
+		Inputs:     []transaction.Input{},
-		Outputs:    []*transaction.Output{},
+		Outputs:    []transaction.Output{},
-		Scripts:    []*transaction.Witness{},
+		Scripts:    []transaction.Witness{},
 		Trimmed:    false,
 	}
 }

pkg/core/account_state.go

@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ func (u *UnspentBalance) DecodeBinary(r *io.BinReader) {
 }
 
 // EncodeBinary implements io.Serializable interface.
-func (u UnspentBalance) EncodeBinary(w *io.BinWriter) {
+func (u *UnspentBalance) EncodeBinary(w *io.BinWriter) {
 	u.Tx.EncodeBinary(w)
 	w.WriteLE(u.Index)
 	w.WriteLE(u.Value)

pkg/core/asset_state.go

@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ type AssetState struct {
 	Precision  uint8
 	FeeMode    uint8
 	FeeAddress util.Uint160
-	Owner      *keys.PublicKey
+	Owner      keys.PublicKey
 	Admin      util.Uint160
 	Issuer     util.Uint160
 	Expiration uint32
@@ -63,7 +63,6 @@ func (a *AssetState) DecodeBinary(br *io.BinReader) {
 	br.ReadLE(&a.FeeMode)
 	br.ReadBytes(a.FeeAddress[:])
 
-	a.Owner = &keys.PublicKey{}
 	a.Owner.DecodeBinary(br)
 	br.ReadBytes(a.Admin[:])
 	br.ReadBytes(a.Issuer[:])

pkg/core/asset_state_test.go

@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/CityOfZion/neo-go/pkg/core/storage"
 	"github.com/CityOfZion/neo-go/pkg/core/transaction"
-	"github.com/CityOfZion/neo-go/pkg/crypto/keys"
 	"github.com/CityOfZion/neo-go/pkg/io"
 	"github.com/CityOfZion/neo-go/pkg/util"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -20,7 +19,6 @@ func TestEncodeDecodeAssetState(t *testing.T) {
 		Available:  util.Fixed8(100),
 		Precision:  0,
 		FeeMode:    feeMode,
-		Owner:      &keys.PublicKey{},
 		Admin:      randomUint160(),
 		Issuer:     randomUint160(),
 		Expiration: 10,
@@ -47,7 +45,6 @@ func TestPutGetAssetState(t *testing.T) {
 		Available:  util.Fixed8(100),
 		Precision:  8,
 		FeeMode:    feeMode,
-		Owner:      &keys.PublicKey{},
 		Admin:      randomUint160(),
 		Issuer:     randomUint160(),
 		Expiration: 10,

pkg/core/block.go

@@ -91,7 +91,6 @@ func NewBlockFromTrimmedBytes(b []byte) (*Block, error) {
 	var padding uint8
 	br.ReadLE(&padding)
 
-	block.Script = &transaction.Witness{}
 	block.Script.DecodeBinary(br)
 
 	lenTX := br.ReadVarUint()
@@ -116,7 +115,8 @@ func (b *Block) Trim() ([]byte, error) {
 
 	buf.WriteVarUint(uint64(len(b.Transactions)))
 	for _, tx := range b.Transactions {
-		tx.Hash().EncodeBinary(buf.BinWriter)
+		h := tx.Hash()
+		h.EncodeBinary(buf.BinWriter)
 	}
 	if buf.Err != nil {
 		return nil, buf.Err

pkg/core/block_base.go

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ type BlockBase struct {
 	_ uint8
 
 	// Script used to validate the block
-	Script *transaction.Witness `json:"script"`
+	Script transaction.Witness `json:"script"`
 
 	// Hash of this block, created when binary encoded (double SHA256).
 	hash util.Uint256
@@ -80,7 +80,6 @@ func (b *BlockBase) DecodeBinary(br *io.BinReader) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	b.Script = &transaction.Witness{}
 	b.Script.DecodeBinary(br)
 }
 

pkg/core/block_test.go

@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ func newDumbBlock() *Block {
 			Index:         1,
 			ConsensusData: 1111,
 			NextConsensus: hash.Hash160([]byte("a")),
-			Script: &transaction.Witness{
+			Script: transaction.Witness{
 				VerificationScript: []byte{0x51}, // PUSH1
 				InvocationScript:   []byte{0x61}, // NOP
 			},

pkg/core/blockchain.go

@@ -945,7 +945,7 @@ func (bc *Blockchain) References(t *transaction.Transaction) map[transaction.Inp
 			tx = nil
 		} else if tx != nil {
 			for _, in := range inputs {
-				references[*in] = tx.Outputs[in.PrevIndex]
+				references[*in] = &tx.Outputs[in.PrevIndex]
 			}
 		} else {
 			references = nil
@@ -1243,8 +1243,9 @@ func (bc *Blockchain) GetValidators(txes ...*transaction.Transaction) ([]*keys.P
 
 			// group inputs by the same previous hash and iterate through inputs
 			group := make(map[util.Uint256][]*transaction.Input)
-			for _, input := range tx.Inputs {
+			for i := range tx.Inputs {
-				group[input.PrevHash] = append(group[input.PrevHash], input)
+				hash := tx.Inputs[i].PrevHash
+				group[hash] = append(group[hash], &tx.Inputs[i])
 			}
 
 			for hash, inputs := range group {
@@ -1339,7 +1340,7 @@ func processStateTX(chainState *BlockChainState, tx *transaction.StateTX) error
 }
 
 func processEnrollmentTX(chainState *BlockChainState, tx *transaction.EnrollmentTX) error {
-	validatorState, err := chainState.validators.getAndUpdate(chainState.store, tx.PublicKey)
+	validatorState, err := chainState.validators.getAndUpdate(chainState.store, &tx.PublicKey)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -1360,7 +1361,7 @@ func (bc *Blockchain) GetScriptHashesForVerifying(t *transaction.Transaction) ([
 	}
 	hashes := make(map[util.Uint160]bool)
 	for _, i := range t.Inputs {
-		h := references[*i].ScriptHash
+		h := references[i].ScriptHash
 		if _, ok := hashes[h]; !ok {
 			hashes[h] = true
 		}
@@ -1486,7 +1487,7 @@ func (bc *Blockchain) verifyTxWitnesses(t *transaction.Transaction, block *Block
 	sort.Slice(witnesses, func(i, j int) bool { return witnesses[i].ScriptHash().Less(witnesses[j].ScriptHash()) })
 	interopCtx := newInteropContext(trigger.Verification, bc, bc.store, block, t)
 	for i := 0; i < len(hashes); i++ {
-		err := bc.verifyHashAgainstScript(hashes[i], witnesses[i], t.VerificationHash(), interopCtx)
+		err := bc.verifyHashAgainstScript(hashes[i], &witnesses[i], t.VerificationHash(), interopCtx)
 		if err != nil {
 			numStr := fmt.Sprintf("witness #%d", i)
 			return errors.Wrap(err, numStr)
@@ -1505,7 +1506,7 @@ func (bc *Blockchain) verifyBlockWitnesses(block *Block, prevHeader *Header) err
 		hash = prevHeader.NextConsensus
 	}
 	interopCtx := newInteropContext(trigger.Verification, bc, bc.store, nil, nil)
-	return bc.verifyHashAgainstScript(hash, block.Script, block.VerificationHash(), interopCtx)
+	return bc.verifyHashAgainstScript(hash, &block.Script, block.VerificationHash(), interopCtx)
 }
 
 func hashAndIndexToBytes(h util.Uint256, index uint32) []byte {

pkg/core/header_test.go

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ func TestHeaderEncodeDecode(t *testing.T) {
 		Index:         3445,
 		ConsensusData: 394949,
 		NextConsensus: util.Uint160{},
-		Script: &transaction.Witness{
+		Script: transaction.Witness{
 			InvocationScript:   []byte{0x10},
 			VerificationScript: []byte{0x11},
 		},

pkg/core/helper_test.go

@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func newBlock(index uint32, txs ...*transaction.Transaction) *Block {
 		vlen-(vlen-1)/3,
 		validators,
 	)
-	witness := &transaction.Witness{
+	witness := transaction.Witness{
 		VerificationScript: valScript,
 	}
 	b := &Block{

pkg/core/interop_neo.go

@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ func (ic *interopContext) txGetAttributes(v *vm.VM) error {
 		return errors.New("too many attributes")
 	}
 	attrs := make([]vm.StackItem, 0, len(tx.Attributes))
-	for _, attr := range tx.Attributes {
+	for i := range tx.Attributes {
-		attrs = append(attrs, vm.NewInteropItem(attr))
+		attrs = append(attrs, vm.NewInteropItem(&tx.Attributes[i]))
 	}
 	v.Estack().PushVal(attrs)
 	return nil
@@ -107,8 +107,8 @@ func (ic *interopContext) txGetInputs(v *vm.VM) error {
 		return errors.New("too many inputs")
 	}
 	inputs := make([]vm.StackItem, 0, len(tx.Inputs))
-	for _, input := range tx.Inputs {
+	for i := range tx.Inputs {
-		inputs = append(inputs, vm.NewInteropItem(input))
+		inputs = append(inputs, vm.NewInteropItem(&tx.Inputs[i]))
 	}
 	v.Estack().PushVal(inputs)
 	return nil
@@ -125,8 +125,8 @@ func (ic *interopContext) txGetOutputs(v *vm.VM) error {
 		return errors.New("too many outputs")
 	}
 	outputs := make([]vm.StackItem, 0, len(tx.Outputs))
-	for _, output := range tx.Outputs {
+	for i := range tx.Outputs {
-		outputs = append(outputs, vm.NewInteropItem(output))
+		outputs = append(outputs, vm.NewInteropItem(&tx.Outputs[i]))
 	}
 	v.Estack().PushVal(outputs)
 	return nil
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ func (ic *interopContext) txGetReferences(v *vm.VM) error {
 
 	stackrefs := make([]vm.StackItem, 0, len(refs))
 	for _, k := range tx.Inputs {
-		tio := txInOut{*k, *refs[*k]}
+		tio := txInOut{k, *refs[k]}
 		stackrefs = append(stackrefs, vm.NewInteropItem(tio))
 	}
 	v.Estack().PushVal(stackrefs)
@@ -190,8 +190,8 @@ func (ic *interopContext) txGetWitnesses(v *vm.VM) error {
 		return errors.New("too many outputs")
 	}
 	scripts := make([]vm.StackItem, 0, len(tx.Scripts))
-	for _, script := range tx.Scripts {
+	for i := range tx.Scripts {
-		scripts = append(scripts, vm.NewInteropItem(script))
+		scripts = append(scripts, vm.NewInteropItem(&tx.Scripts[i]))
 	}
 	v.Estack().PushVal(scripts)
 	return nil
@@ -615,7 +615,7 @@ func (ic *interopContext) assetCreate(v *vm.VM) error {
 		Name:       name,
 		Amount:     amount,
 		Precision:  precision,
-		Owner:      owner,
+		Owner:      *owner,
 		Admin:      admin,
 		Issuer:     issuer,
 		Expiration: ic.bc.BlockHeight() + DefaultAssetLifetime,

pkg/core/interop_neo_test.go

@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ func TestTxGetInputs(t *testing.T) {
 	err := context.txGetInputs(v)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	value := v.Estack().Pop().Value().([]vm.StackItem)
-	require.Equal(t, tx.Inputs[0], value[0].Value().(*transaction.Input))
+	require.Equal(t, tx.Inputs[0], *value[0].Value().(*transaction.Input))
 }
 
 func TestTxGetOutputs(t *testing.T) {
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ func TestTxGetOutputs(t *testing.T) {
 	err := context.txGetOutputs(v)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	value := v.Estack().Pop().Value().([]vm.StackItem)
-	require.Equal(t, tx.Outputs[0], value[0].Value().(*transaction.Output))
+	require.Equal(t, tx.Outputs[0], *value[0].Value().(*transaction.Output))
 }
 
 func TestTxGetType(t *testing.T) {
@@ -115,16 +115,16 @@ func TestTxGetType(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestPopInputFromVM(t *testing.T) {
 	v, tx, _ := createVMAndTX(t)
-	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(tx.Inputs[0]))
+	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(&tx.Inputs[0]))
 
 	input, err := popInputFromVM(v)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.Equal(t, tx.Inputs[0], input)
+	require.Equal(t, tx.Inputs[0], *input)
 }
 
 func TestInputGetHash(t *testing.T) {
 	v, tx, context := createVMAndTX(t)
-	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(tx.Inputs[0]))
+	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(&tx.Inputs[0]))
 
 	err := context.inputGetHash(v)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func TestInputGetHash(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestInputGetIndex(t *testing.T) {
 	v, tx, context := createVMAndTX(t)
-	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(tx.Inputs[0]))
+	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(&tx.Inputs[0]))
 
 	err := context.inputGetIndex(v)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -144,16 +144,16 @@ func TestInputGetIndex(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestPopOutputFromVM(t *testing.T) {
 	v, tx, _ := createVMAndTX(t)
-	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(tx.Outputs[0]))
+	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(&tx.Outputs[0]))
 
 	output, err := popOutputFromVM(v)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.Equal(t, tx.Outputs[0], output)
+	require.Equal(t, tx.Outputs[0], *output)
 }
 
 func TestOutputGetAssetID(t *testing.T) {
 	v, tx, context := createVMAndTX(t)
-	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(tx.Outputs[0]))
+	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(&tx.Outputs[0]))
 
 	err := context.outputGetAssetID(v)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ func TestOutputGetAssetID(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestOutputGetScriptHash(t *testing.T) {
 	v, tx, context := createVMAndTX(t)
-	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(tx.Outputs[0]))
+	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(&tx.Outputs[0]))
 
 	err := context.outputGetScriptHash(v)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ func TestOutputGetScriptHash(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestOutputGetValue(t *testing.T) {
 	v, tx, context := createVMAndTX(t)
-	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(tx.Outputs[0]))
+	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(&tx.Outputs[0]))
 
 	err := context.outputGetValue(v)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ func TestOutputGetValue(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestAttrGetData(t *testing.T) {
 	v, tx, context := createVMAndTX(t)
-	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(tx.Attributes[0]))
+	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(&tx.Attributes[0]))
 
 	err := context.attrGetData(v)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ func TestAttrGetData(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestAttrGetUsage(t *testing.T) {
 	v, tx, context := createVMAndTX(t)
-	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(tx.Attributes[0]))
+	v.Estack().PushVal(vm.NewInteropItem(&tx.Attributes[0]))
 
 	err := context.attrGetUsage(v)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ func createVMAndAssetState(t *testing.T) (*vm.VM, *AssetState, *interopContext)
 		Precision:  1,
 		FeeMode:    1,
 		FeeAddress: randomUint160(),
-		Owner:      &keys.PublicKey{X: big.NewInt(1), Y: big.NewInt(1)},
+		Owner:      keys.PublicKey{X: big.NewInt(1), Y: big.NewInt(1)},
 		Admin:      randomUint160(),
 		Issuer:     randomUint160(),
 		Expiration: 10,
@@ -397,17 +397,17 @@ func createVMAndTX(t *testing.T) (*vm.VM, *transaction.Transaction, *interopCont
 	tx := newMinerTX()
 
 	bytes := make([]byte, 1)
-	attributes := append(tx.Attributes, &transaction.Attribute{
+	attributes := append(tx.Attributes, transaction.Attribute{
 		Usage: transaction.Description,
 		Data:  bytes,
 	})
 
-	inputs := append(tx.Inputs, &transaction.Input{
+	inputs := append(tx.Inputs, transaction.Input{
 		PrevHash:  randomUint256(),
 		PrevIndex: 1,
 	})
 
-	outputs := append(tx.Outputs, &transaction.Output{
+	outputs := append(tx.Outputs, transaction.Output{
 		AssetID:    randomUint256(),
 		Amount:     10,
 		ScriptHash: randomUint160(),

pkg/core/mem_pool.go

@@ -288,7 +288,9 @@ func (mp MemPool) Verify(tx *transaction.Transaction) bool {
 	inputs := make([]*transaction.Input, 0)
 	for _, item := range mp.GetVerifiedTransactions() {
 		if tx.Hash().Equals(item.Hash()) {
-			inputs = append(inputs, item.Inputs...)
+			for i := range item.Inputs {
+				inputs = append(inputs, &item.Inputs[i])
+			}
 		}
 	}
 

pkg/core/notification_event.go

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func getAppExecResultFromStore(s storage.Store, hash util.Uint256) (*AppExecResu
 }
 
 // EncodeBinary implements the Serializable interface.
-func (ne NotificationEvent) EncodeBinary(w *io.BinWriter) {
+func (ne *NotificationEvent) EncodeBinary(w *io.BinWriter) {
 	w.WriteBytes(ne.ScriptHash[:])
 	vm.EncodeBinaryStackItem(ne.Item, w)
 }

pkg/core/transaction/enrollment.go

@@ -12,12 +12,11 @@ import (
 // The way to cancel the registration is: Spend the deposit on the address of the PublicKey.
 type EnrollmentTX struct {
 	// PublicKey of the validator.
-	PublicKey *keys.PublicKey
+	PublicKey keys.PublicKey
 }
 
 // DecodeBinary implements Serializable interface.
 func (tx *EnrollmentTX) DecodeBinary(r *io.BinReader) {
-	tx.PublicKey = &keys.PublicKey{}
 	tx.PublicKey.DecodeBinary(r)
 }
 

pkg/core/transaction/invocation.go

@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@ func NewInvocationTX(script []byte, gas util.Fixed8) *Transaction {
 			Gas:     gas,
 			Version: 1,
 		},
-		Attributes: []*Attribute{},
+		Attributes: []Attribute{},
-		Inputs:     []*Input{},
+		Inputs:     []Input{},
-		Outputs:    []*Output{},
+		Outputs:    []Output{},
-		Scripts:    []*Witness{},
+		Scripts:    []Witness{},
 	}
 }
 

pkg/core/transaction/register.go

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ type RegisterTX struct {
 	Precision uint8
 
 	// Public key of the owner.
-	Owner *keys.PublicKey
+	Owner keys.PublicKey
 
 	Admin util.Uint160
 }
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@ func (tx *RegisterTX) DecodeBinary(br *io.BinReader) {
 	br.ReadLE(&tx.Amount)
 	br.ReadLE(&tx.Precision)
 
-	tx.Owner = &keys.PublicKey{}
 	tx.Owner.DecodeBinary(br)
 
 	br.ReadBytes(tx.Admin[:])

pkg/core/transaction/register_test.go

@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ func TestRegisterTX(t *testing.T) {
 			Name:      "this is some token I created",
 			Amount:    util.Fixed8FromInt64(1000000),
 			Precision: 8,
-			Owner:     &keys.PublicKey{},
 			Admin:     someuint160,
 		},
 	}
@@ -58,7 +57,7 @@ func TestDecodeRegisterTXFromRawString(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, "[{\"lang\":\"zh-CN\",\"name\":\"小蚁股\"},{\"lang\":\"en\",\"name\":\"AntShare\"}]", txData.Name)
 	assert.Equal(t, util.Fixed8FromInt64(100000000), txData.Amount)
 	assert.Equal(t, uint8(0), txData.Precision)
-	assert.Equal(t, &keys.PublicKey{}, txData.Owner)
+	assert.Equal(t, keys.PublicKey{}, txData.Owner)
 	assert.Equal(t, "Abf2qMs1pzQb8kYk9RuxtUb9jtRKJVuBJt", crypto.AddressFromUint160(txData.Admin))
 	assert.Equal(t, "c56f33fc6ecfcd0c225c4ab356fee59390af8560be0e930faebe74a6daff7c9b", tx.Hash().StringLE())
 

pkg/core/transaction/transaction.go

@@ -27,18 +27,18 @@ type Transaction struct {
 	Data TXer `json:"-"`
 
 	// Transaction attributes.
-	Attributes []*Attribute `json:"attributes"`
+	Attributes []Attribute `json:"attributes"`
 
 	// The inputs of the transaction.
-	Inputs []*Input `json:"vin"`
+	Inputs []Input `json:"vin"`
 
 	// The outputs of the transaction.
-	Outputs []*Output `json:"vout"`
+	Outputs []Output `json:"vout"`
 
 	// The scripts that comes with this transaction.
 	// Scripts exist out of the verification script
 	// and invocation script.
-	Scripts []*Witness `json:"scripts"`
+	Scripts []Witness `json:"scripts"`
 
 	// Hash of the transaction (double SHA256).
 	hash util.Uint256
@@ -82,12 +82,12 @@ func (t *Transaction) VerificationHash() util.Uint256 {
 
 // AddOutput adds the given output to the transaction outputs.
 func (t *Transaction) AddOutput(out *Output) {
-	t.Outputs = append(t.Outputs, out)
+	t.Outputs = append(t.Outputs, *out)
 }
 
 // AddInput adds the given input to the transaction inputs.
 func (t *Transaction) AddInput(in *Input) {
-	t.Inputs = append(t.Inputs, in)
+	t.Inputs = append(t.Inputs, *in)
 }
 
 // DecodeBinary implements Serializable interface.
@@ -187,8 +187,9 @@ func (t *Transaction) createHash() error {
 // GroupInputsByPrevHash groups all TX inputs by their previous hash.
 func (t *Transaction) GroupInputsByPrevHash() map[util.Uint256][]*Input {
 	m := make(map[util.Uint256][]*Input)
-	for _, in := range t.Inputs {
+	for i := range t.Inputs {
-		m[in.PrevHash] = append(m[in.PrevHash], in)
+		hash := t.Inputs[i].PrevHash
+		m[hash] = append(m[hash], &t.Inputs[i])
 	}
 	return m
 }
@@ -196,8 +197,9 @@ func (t *Transaction) GroupInputsByPrevHash() map[util.Uint256][]*Input {
 // GroupOutputByAssetID groups all TX outputs by their assetID.
 func (t Transaction) GroupOutputByAssetID() map[util.Uint256][]*Output {
 	m := make(map[util.Uint256][]*Output)
-	for _, out := range t.Outputs {
+	for i := range t.Outputs {
-		m[out.AssetID] = append(m[out.AssetID], out)
+		hash := t.Outputs[i].AssetID
+		m[hash] = append(m[hash], &t.Outputs[i])
 	}
 	return m
 }

pkg/core/util.go

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ func createGenesisBlock(cfg config.ProtocolConfiguration) (*Block, error) {
 		Index:         0,
 		ConsensusData: 2083236893,
 		NextConsensus: nextConsensus,
-		Script: &transaction.Witness{
+		Script: transaction.Witness{
 			InvocationScript:   []byte{},
 			VerificationScript: []byte{byte(opcode.PUSHT)},
 		},
@@ -56,25 +56,25 @@ func createGenesisBlock(cfg config.ProtocolConfiguration) (*Block, error) {
 				Data: &transaction.MinerTX{
 					Nonce: 2083236893,
 				},
-				Attributes: []*transaction.Attribute{},
+				Attributes: []transaction.Attribute{},
-				Inputs:     []*transaction.Input{},
+				Inputs:     []transaction.Input{},
-				Outputs:    []*transaction.Output{},
+				Outputs:    []transaction.Output{},
-				Scripts:    []*transaction.Witness{},
+				Scripts:    []transaction.Witness{},
 			},
 			governingTX,
 			utilityTX,
 			{
 				Type:   transaction.IssueType,
 				Data:   &transaction.IssueTX{}, // no fields.
-				Inputs: []*transaction.Input{},
+				Inputs: []transaction.Input{},
-				Outputs: []*transaction.Output{
+				Outputs: []transaction.Output{
 					{
 						AssetID:    governingTX.Hash(),
 						Amount:     governingTX.Data.(*transaction.RegisterTX).Amount,
 						ScriptHash: scriptOut,
 					},
 				},
-				Scripts: []*transaction.Witness{
+				Scripts: []transaction.Witness{
 					{
 						InvocationScript:   []byte{},
 						VerificationScript: []byte{byte(opcode.PUSHT)},
@@ -98,17 +98,16 @@ func governingTokenTX() *transaction.Transaction {
 		Name:      "[{\"lang\":\"zh-CN\",\"name\":\"小蚁股\"},{\"lang\":\"en\",\"name\":\"AntShare\"}]",
 		Amount:    util.Fixed8FromInt64(100000000),
 		Precision: 0,
-		Owner:     &keys.PublicKey{},
 		Admin:     admin,
 	}
 
 	tx := &transaction.Transaction{
 		Type:       transaction.RegisterType,
 		Data:       registerTX,
-		Attributes: []*transaction.Attribute{},
+		Attributes: []transaction.Attribute{},
-		Inputs:     []*transaction.Input{},
+		Inputs:     []transaction.Input{},
-		Outputs:    []*transaction.Output{},
+		Outputs:    []transaction.Output{},
-		Scripts:    []*transaction.Witness{},
+		Scripts:    []transaction.Witness{},
 	}
 
 	return tx
@@ -121,16 +120,15 @@ func utilityTokenTX() *transaction.Transaction {
 		Name:      "[{\"lang\":\"zh-CN\",\"name\":\"小蚁币\"},{\"lang\":\"en\",\"name\":\"AntCoin\"}]",
 		Amount:    calculateUtilityAmount(),
 		Precision: 8,
-		Owner:     &keys.PublicKey{},
 		Admin:     admin,
 	}
 	tx := &transaction.Transaction{
 		Type:       transaction.RegisterType,
 		Data:       registerTX,
-		Attributes: []*transaction.Attribute{},
+		Attributes: []transaction.Attribute{},
-		Inputs:     []*transaction.Input{},
+		Inputs:     []transaction.Input{},
-		Outputs:    []*transaction.Output{},
+		Outputs:    []transaction.Output{},
-		Scripts:    []*transaction.Witness{},
+		Scripts:    []transaction.Witness{},
 	}
 
 	return tx

pkg/io/binaryWriter.go

@@ -35,7 +35,9 @@ func (w *BinWriter) WriteBE(v interface{}) {
 	w.Err = binary.Write(w.w, binary.BigEndian, v)
 }
 
-// WriteArray writes a slice or an array arr into w.
+// WriteArray writes a slice or an array arr into w. Note that nil slices and
+// empty slices are gonna be treated the same resulting in equal zero-length
+// array encoded.
 func (w *BinWriter) WriteArray(arr interface{}) {
 	switch val := reflect.ValueOf(arr); val.Kind() {
 	case reflect.Slice, reflect.Array:
@@ -49,7 +51,10 @@ func (w *BinWriter) WriteArray(arr interface{}) {
 		for i := 0; i < val.Len(); i++ {
 			el, ok := val.Index(i).Interface().(encodable)
 			if !ok {
-				panic(typ.String() + "is not encodable")
+				el, ok = val.Index(i).Addr().Interface().(encodable)
+				if !ok {
+					panic(typ.String() + " is not encodable")
+				}
 			}
 
 			el.EncodeBinary(w)

pkg/io/binaryrw_test.go

@@ -229,6 +229,18 @@ func (t *testSerializable) DecodeBinary(r *BinReader) {
 	r.ReadLE(t)
 }
 
+type testPtrSerializable uint16
+
+// EncodeBinary implements io.Serializable interface.
+func (t *testPtrSerializable) EncodeBinary(w *BinWriter) {
+	w.WriteLE(t)
+}
+
+// DecodeBinary implements io.Serializable interface.
+func (t *testPtrSerializable) DecodeBinary(r *BinReader) {
+	r.ReadLE(t)
+}
+
 func TestBinWriter_WriteArray(t *testing.T) {
 	var arr [3]testSerializable
 	for i := range arr {
@@ -272,6 +284,16 @@ func TestBinWriter_WriteArray(t *testing.T) {
 	w.Reset()
 	w.Err = errors.New("error")
 	require.Panics(t, func() { w.WriteArray(make(chan testSerializable)) })
+
+	// Ptr receiver test
+	var arrPtr [3]testPtrSerializable
+	for i := range arrPtr {
+		arrPtr[i] = testPtrSerializable(i)
+	}
+	w.Reset()
+	w.WriteArray(arr[:])
+	require.NoError(t, w.Err)
+	require.Equal(t, expected, w.Bytes())
 }
 
 func TestBinReader_ReadArray(t *testing.T) {

pkg/network/payload/headers_test.go

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ func TestHeadersEncodeDecode(t *testing.T) {
 			BlockBase: core.BlockBase{
 				Version: 0,
 				Index:   1,
-				Script: &transaction.Witness{
+				Script: transaction.Witness{
 					InvocationScript:   []byte{0x0},
 					VerificationScript: []byte{0x1},
 				},
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func TestHeadersEncodeDecode(t *testing.T) {
 			BlockBase: core.BlockBase{
 				Version: 0,
 				Index:   2,
-				Script: &transaction.Witness{
+				Script: transaction.Witness{
 					InvocationScript:   []byte{0x0},
 					VerificationScript: []byte{0x1},
 				},
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ func TestHeadersEncodeDecode(t *testing.T) {
 			BlockBase: core.BlockBase{
 				Version: 0,
 				Index:   3,
-				Script: &transaction.Witness{
+				Script: transaction.Witness{
 					InvocationScript:   []byte{0x0},
 					VerificationScript: []byte{0x1},
 				},

pkg/rpc/txBuilder.go

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func CreateRawContractTransaction(params ContractTxParams) (*transaction.Transac
 		return nil, errs.Wrapf(err, "Failed to take script hash from address: %v", address)
 	}
 	tx.Attributes = append(tx.Attributes,
-		&transaction.Attribute{
+		transaction.Attribute{
 			Usage: transaction.Script,
 			Data:  fromAddressHash.BytesBE(),
 		})
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ func SignTx(tx *transaction.Transaction, wif *keys.WIF) error {
 		return errs.Wrap(err, "failed to create invocation script")
 	}
 	witness.VerificationScript = wif.PrivateKey.PublicKey().GetVerificationScript()
-	tx.Scripts = append(tx.Scripts, &witness)
+	tx.Scripts = append(tx.Scripts, witness)
 	tx.Hash()
 
 	return nil

pkg/util/uint256.go

@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ func (u Uint256) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
 func (u Uint256) CompareTo(other Uint256) int { return bytes.Compare(u[:], other[:]) }
 
 // EncodeBinary implements io.Serializable interface.
-func (u Uint256) EncodeBinary(w *io.BinWriter) {
+func (u *Uint256) EncodeBinary(w *io.BinWriter) {
 	w.WriteBytes(u[:])
 }