A Quick Guide to Ethereum Development

We all have heard a lot about Blockchain & Ethereum, but when it comes to dApps, not a lot of us would have heard about them. Even a tech-savvy person can’t differentiate much between decentralized applications and traditional software. So, what is it all?

After cryptocurrencies and NFTs, apps that are based on Blockchain-dApps are gaining much traction. Ethereum development has opened up an endless world of opportunities for organizations looking for decentralized application development.

In this article, we will talk about the basics of Ethereum app development and various terms & terminologies related to the same.

What is Blockchain?

Blockchain is a digital ledger that stores data of all the transactions taking place in a particular blockchain network. These transactions are copied and distributed throughout the blockchain network of nodes.

The blocks on the Blockchain comprise the transaction and whenever a new transaction is made on the Blockchain, that transaction is added to the previous blockchain to form a chain, and that’s how Blockchain works.  

One of the greatest examples of Blockchain is Ethereum, a blockchain that is used to develop and run Blockchain apps. Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin according to market capitalization.

What is Ethereum?

Ethereum is a decentralized platform based on Blockchain technology to establish a peer-to-peer network that helps to securely execute and verify the application code called smart contracts. Smart contracts in Ethereum allow the participants to transact with each other with a trusted central authority. 

The transaction records made through the Blockchain are immutable, verifiable, and securely distributed across the entire network, giving full transparency to the owners. The transactions are sent and received from the accounts created by users on Ethereum.

Key Components of Ethereum Development

Before we dive into the basics of Ethereum app development, it would be a great practice to understand some of the basic terminologies of the same:

1. Smart Contracts

Smart contracts are programs that enable transactions to be done when certain criteria are met. Smart contracts come into play when a contract is executed automatically, allowing the processes to speed up and be recorded on Blockchain technology.

2. Proof-of-work

Proof-of-work (PoW) is an algorithm that allows the blockchain’s nodes to settle on common ground in terms of the information stored on the blockchain. This consensus protocol also helps in payment processing for the tasks, etc.

Some of the greatest use cases of PoW have been witnessed in Bitcoin & Ethereum.

3. Solidity

Solidity is an object-oriented programming language that is used mainly for writing & implementing Ethereum smart contracts. The programs that are compiled on solidity platforms are designed to run on the Ethereum virtual machine.

4. APIs

APIs stand for an application programming interface. This is a set of protocols and definitions that are used to build the application software. APIs let you establish communications with different services without going into the basics of the same.

5. JSON-RPC

JSON-RPC is a data exchange protocol that allows a client to send instructions to the server and also listen to the responses. JSON-RPC consists of two independent principles that are combined to form a protocol.

Now that you have a basic knowledge of the concepts surrounding Ethereum, we can move forward toward the Ethereum app development process.

To begin with, we’ll have to install some important tools to run smart contracts. Let’s have a look at the same:

Step-by-Step Process of Ethereum App Development

There are various approaches to developing decentralized applications. Discussing all of these approaches in a quick guide can seem an overwhelming task, so we have to go through one of the most convenient approaches to Ethereum app development.

Let’s go over the approach step by step as follows:

1. Build the team

You need to add the following roles to your team:

• UI/UX designer
• Ethereum programmers with  programming language skills
• QA & testers to thoroughly test the networks
• Project Managers overlook the project at every stage

2. Utilize Ethereum development resources

Ethereum development skills are niche, and hence you must include some relevant learning resources to guide your resources through the same.

3. Create an Ethereum account and buy Ether

Ether, a native cryptocurrency of Ethereum, is coal that drives Ethereum transactions on the blockchain network. To deploy the smart contracts and make your DApp running you will need to buy Ether.

You will have to create an “Externally Owned Account” (EOA) on Ethereum, which includes the following steps:

• Usage of “eth-light wallet”, which is an easy-to-use Ethereum wallet.
• Setting it up using the GitHub instructions.
• Creating public & private keys.

After these steps, you can readily buy Ether for the deployment of smart contracts.

4, Installation of the required tools

These are some necessary tools to develop an Ethereum DApp:

• “Testprc”: This is an easy-to-use blockchain client, consisting of a “command-line interface”. You can install it and configure using GitHub instructions.
• “Web3.js”: This is an Ethereum Javascript API that is used to communicate with the Ethereum blockchain network.
• “Truffle”: This is a development environment for Ethereum, which aids in smart contract compilation, linking, automated testing, building management, and deployment.
• “MetaMask”: MetaMask is a browser extension that allows you to communicate with Ethereum even if you are not running a full Ethereum node.

5. Configure the tools

You will need to configure the tools mentioned in the previous section as follows:

• Open “testers” and run the application
• To make Web.js work, configure the “aconfig.js” file
• Update “config.js” with your public & private key information
• Connect MetaMask to “Ropsten”, which is an Ethereum test network used for testing smart contracts.

6. Code smart contracts with “REMIX” IDE

You need to develop the user interfaces of your DApp similar to how you create for any web app. Parallel you can develop the Ethereum smart contracts.

“REMIX” IDE is an “Integrated Development Environment” that is used for smart contracts development. Since it’s a DApp, you can skip installing everything.

7. Testing smart contracts in Ropsten

Testing smart contracts in Ropsten requires the following actions:

• Buy a dummy Ether to test the smart contracts in Ropsten. Since Ropsten is a test network, it doesn’t require a real ether.
• Check & ensure that the MetaMask connection with Ropsten is open & running.
• Go back to remix and locate the label “Create”.
• Check the label to deploy the smart contracts to Ropsten and confirm MetaMask.
• Test smart contracts.

8. Deploy smart contracts to the main Ethereum network

After testing the smart contracts, you need to deploy smart contracts to the main network:

• Ether, which you bought earlier, you will need.
• Ensure that testrpc is still running.
• Navigate the truffle directory.
• Use the “truffle deploy” command to deploy the smart contracts.
• Note down the smart contract address for later use.

So, these were a few important steps for Ethereum app development that would help you easily deploy the smart contracts, and develop robust Ethereum apps.

(Related Read: How to Build An Ethereum NFT Marketplace –  A Detailed Guide)

After Blockchain, decentralized apps based on Ethereum are gaining much traction. Ethereum app development is a complex process and requires complete training of the resources.

If you are looking for well-trained and talented Blockchain app developers for your project, we have the right resources for you. Hire our Blockchain app developers now.