How malleable is the Bitcoin protocol? Possible Duplicate:
  How could the bitcoin protocol be changed? Has this ever occurred?  




Given Bitcoin is a system based on consensus, is it possible and under what situations would the Bitcoin community consider changing some of it's underlying 'hard-coded' laws. Things such as the number of Bitcoins in circulation the rate of Bitcoin production or the number of confirmations before a transaction is confirmed?
The number of Bitcoins in circulation


That would be almost impossible to change and would drastically undermine confidence in the Bitcoin system. I think we're stuck with this forever, or until Bitcoin becomes obsolete.


  The rate of Bitcoin production


Again, almost impossible to change.


  Or the number of confirmations before a transaction is confirmed?


Anyone is welcome to consider a transaction confirmed after as many or as few confirmations as they like. There is no reason this requires any kind of agreement.