This commit exposes the three main parameters that influence mission
control and path finding to the user as command line or config file
flags. It allows for fine-tuning for optimal results.
Previously every payment had its own local mission control state which
was in effect only for that payment. In this commit most of the local
state is removed and payments all tap into the global mission control
probability estimator.
Furthermore the decay time of pruned edges and nodes is extended, so
that observations about the network can better benefit future payment
processes.
Last, the probability function is transformed from a binary output to a
gradual curve, allowing for a better trade off between candidate routes.
This PR replaces the previously used edge and node ignore lists in path
finding by a probability based system. It modifies path finding so that
it not only compares routes on fee and time lock, but also takes route
success probability into account.
Allowing routes to be compared based on success probability is achieved
by introducing a 'virtual' cost of a payment attempt and using that to
translate probability into another cost factor.
Currently public keys are represented either as a 33-byte array (Vertex) or as a
btcec.PublicKey struct. The latter isn't useable as index into maps and
cannot be used easily in compares. Therefore the 33-byte array
representation is used predominantly throughout the code base.
This commit converts the argument types of source and target nodes for
path finding to Vertex. Path finding executes no crypto operations and
using Vertex simplifies the code.
Additionally, it prepares for the path finding source parameter to be
exposed over rpc in a follow up commit without requiring conversion back
and forth between Vertex and btcec.PublicKey.