BlockExplorer | A set of projects that can index and query stratis

That's because you're using let!.

let! creates a breaking point in the async computation, splitting the code in two, with second part passed as a continuation (see this answer for how that works).

You can't return the whole thing as a single expression, because it's not, in fact, a single expression, it only looks like one. In reality, your function ends after let! and a totally separate function begins.

Here's a simplified version of your problem:

The blockchain is a list of blocks. As new transactions are created, a block will fill up and a new block is created. The chain height is the chain length; the number of blocks in the chain. It's a good way of determining if a blockchain node is up to date with the latest transactions.

be.get_block_height() returns an array of blocks at the specified height (from whatever node you're connected to).

The reason it can have multiple blocks at the same height is due to the mining process. When a block is filled, miners validate the the block and add it to the chain. If multiple miners, the first to validate the block wins. In the case of a tie, the chain temporarily forks so there are multiple blocks at the same height. One of the forks will eventually be dropped (orphaned) and the main chain will continue with the other fork.

Here is an article on blockchain height: https://hedgetrade.com/what-is-block-height

Check this explorer. You can see the current height of the bitcoin blockchain https://www.blockchain.com/explorer

The problem is your request call. It is callback style. THis means that return blockcount will be executed first and blockcount = body.result; will be executed when asyn call is complete. You have two alternatives here

• Either convert the callback style to promise and get the results in a variable.
• OR return the response inside your callback.