The Jani Solutions team recently had the task of developing a Blockchain application. Creating a
blockchain project can be an exciting and innovative endeavour. Blockchain technology has a wide
range of applications beyond cryptocurrencies, including supply chain management, voting systems,
healthcare records, and more.
To begin with we identified the problem to solve using blockchain technology. This took a few weeks
of brainstorming since the complete end product needed to be considered. The creation of smart
contracts was to be the foundation of the application. Smart contracts are a core part of many
blockchain applications using self-executing contracts with predefined rules.
We decided to use the DFINITY platform, which is a blockchain distributed application eco-system
with Motoko as the backend language. Motoko is a programming language developed by the
DFINITY Foundation. Motoko provides a framework for building decentralized applications,
commonly referred to as dApps, on the Internet Computer platform. It is specifically designed to
work seamlessly with the Internet Computer’s blockchain technology. Motoko itself does not
support frontend development; instead, it focuses on the backend logic. Motoko allows you to
expose your backend logic through canister smart contracts synonymous to APIs. These APIs can be
accessed from the frontend using HTTP requests or other communication protocols supported by
the Internet Computer.
The network topology, consensus mechanism such as Proof of Work versus Proof of Stake, and data
storage were researched and became part of the application architecture. We wrote the canister
smart contracts defining rules and processes as well as additional backend functionality. Canisters
are similar to traditional microservices. Motoko’s libraries were used to interact with the blockchain,
including submitting transactions, reading data from the blockchain, and calling other smart
contracts. Motoko provides mechanisms for defining data structures and persisting data on the
Internet Computer. The Motoko Playground and frameworks for calling backend canister APIs
assisted with the test process.
Web development frameworks and libraries like React, Angular, or Vue.js can be used to create the
frontend components of a dApp. These frameworks help build dynamic and interactive user
interfaces using JavaScript libraries or custom JavaScript code to interact with smart contracts
deployed on the Internet Computer. These frameworks facilitate communication between your
frontend and the blockchain. We designed an intuitive and user-friendly interface for the dApp to
enhance the user experience, taking into consideration the unique aspects of decentralized
applications, such as handling blockchain transactions. The frontend of the dApp was a web
application written using React JS, that interacted with the backend canisters.
In order to use the Internet Computer, each canister smart contract must maintain a cycles balance
deducted by the platform to cover gas fees. Cycles are used to measure and charge usage of the
Internet Computer, and can be purchased using ICP or transferred from one canister to another. It is
therefore essential to optimize code to minimize costs and improve performance.
The next steps are to actively engage with a user base, and foster a community around the project,
provide support channels and engage with the target community to address questions and issues
promptly. A key component in promoting a blockchain project is to attract users, investors, or
stakeholders. Building a strong online presence and marketing strategy is crucial.
Building a blockchain project can be a complex and resource-intensive process. Having a clear vision
and a dedicated team is essential for success. Additionally, staying updated with the latest
blockchain developments and trends is crucial to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving
blockchain space.