Zcash 4.1.1
===========
What is Zcash?
--------------
[Zcash](https://z.cash/) is an implementation of the "Zerocash" protocol.
Based on Bitcoin's code, Zcash intends to offer a far higher standard of privacy
through a sophisticated zero-knowledge proving scheme that preserves
confidentiality of transaction metadata. More technical details are available
in our [Protocol Specification](https://github.com/zcash/zips/raw/master/protocol/protocol.pdf).
This software is the Zcash client. It downloads and stores the entire history
of Zcash transactions; depending on the speed of your computer and network
connection, the synchronization process could take a day or more once the
blockchain has reached a significant size.
#### :lock: Security Warnings
See important security warnings on the
[Security Information page](https://z.cash/support/security/).
**Zcash is experimental and a work in progress.** Use it at your own risk.
#### :ledger: Deprecation Policy
This release is considered deprecated 16 weeks after the release day. There
is an automatic deprecation shutdown feature which will halt the node some
time after this 16-week period. The automatic feature is based on block
height.
## Getting Started
Please see our [user guide](https://zcash.readthedocs.io/en/latest/rtd_pages/rtd_docs/user_guide.html) for joining the main Zcash network.
### Need Help?
* :blue_book: See the documentation at the [ReadTheDocs](https://zcash.readthedocs.io)
for help and more information.
* :incoming_envelope: Ask for help on the [Zcash](https://forum.z.cash/) forum.
* :speech_balloon: Chat with our support community on [Discord](https://discordapp.com/channels/669694001464737815/671029188353851393/)
Participation in the Zcash project is subject to a
[Code of Conduct](code_of_conduct.md).
### Building
Build Zcash along with most dependencies from source by running the following command:
```
./zcutil/build.sh -j$(nproc)
```
Currently, Zcash is only officially supported on Debian and Ubuntu. See the
[Debian / Ubuntu build](https://zcash.readthedocs.io/en/latest/rtd_pages/Debian-Ubuntu-build.html)
for detailed instructions.
License
-------
For license information see the file [COPYING](COPYING).