Technology is evolving at a rapid pace. Even though it is challenging to keep up with it, neglecting it can put you far behind. Each day numerous new apps are being developed and installed on digital devices. However, the risk of data online theft is alarming. Cybercriminals can hack your payment accounts and extract sensitive information. To resolve this issue, you can contact Cox cable customer service, for example, if your cable bill account has been broken into but no one can determine how secure your personal information is once it has been compromised.
Due to the increased security risk, some developers are now using a decentralized system for some apps to protect user data from any potential threats. Ethereum is one such technology that is being used by apps that involve digital money, global payments, and other elements that need to be encrypted. In this article, let’s first understand what a decentralized app is and then learn how Ethereum can be used to develop a decentralized app.
What Is a Decentralized App?
Decentralized Apps also known as DApps are applications that do not depend on a centralized backend running but interact directly with a blockchain. These are the applications that are built on a decentralized network that combines a smart contract with a front-end user interface. Let’s have a look at a few features of a DApp:
- A DApp code cannot be deleted once it has been developed. It can be used by anyone.
- The DApp data cannot be censored.
- A user’s real identity is not needed to use a DApp in most cases, only a digital wallet address is required.
- In DApp, Ethereum’s tokens are used to make payments. No third-party payment options are needed.
- DApps are highly secure due to cryptography that prevents the threat of cyberattacks.
- The DApp code usually allows the teams an opportunity to build on others’ work.
- Once a DApp has been developed, it cannot be reversed.
- The information saved on the blockchain is secured and no transactions can be forged by third parties.
What Is Ethereum?
Ethereum is an implementation of blockchain technology that can run smart contracts. In simpler words, it is a decentralized blockchain platform which creates peer-to-peer network and executes and verifies application codes which are referred to as smart contracts. Through smart contracts, participants can carry out transactions among themselves and there is no need for a central authority.
Development of a DApp on Ethereum
The complication of blockchain and its integration issues require expertise that varies from conventional application development methods. Let’s consider an application that will let you validate yourself through your MetaMask wallet. When your Web3 identity is established, you can access data about your possessions and earlier transactions. . Here is how this DApp can be developed using the Ethereum platform.
Step 1: Create an Account on Moralis
The initial step to building an Ethereum decentralized application is to create an account on Moralis. It is simple and takes only a few minutes. Nevertheless, you can move on to the next step in case you have previously signed up.
Step 2: Duplicating Repository on GitHub
The second step includes cloning the GitHub repository to your local gadget. Firstly, go to GitHub Repository by searching the keyword “Ethereum boilerplate” on a search engine. Once it opens, hit the “Code” tab on the right side and copy the web address.
Using this web address you can effortlessly steer to Visual Studio Code. Next, you need to create a fresh folder and assign a name to it. After that, a different terminal is required. If Visual Studio Code is being used, tap on the “terminal” button on the top right and select “New Terminal”.
Furthermore, ensure that you’re in the correct folder. Next, enter a relevant command by utilizing the formerly fetched link. This will copy the project to your local repository, and you will be able to access the project.
Step 3: Set Environment Variables
After obtaining the Ethereum boilerplate, you are required to design some variables. You have to visit the file to spot five environment variables that need to be configured. The first,” APP_CHAIN_ID”, is the chain Identification for Ethereum. It doesn’t need to be modified. The second variable,” APP_DOMAIN”, also doesn’t need any alterations.
Next, configure the” MORALIS_API_KEY” variable to your API key. Go to the Moralis admin panel and select ”Account”, hit the ”keys” option, and duplicate ”Web3 API Key”. Once you have the access to the key, you can assign a value to the ” MORALIS_API_KEY” variable.
You also need to assign a value to the ”NEXTAUTH_SECRET” variable. However, the fifth variable, the” NEXTAUTH_URL” variable, which is previously configured also doesn’t need to be changed. After all these configurations, the file’s name also needs to be modified.
Step 4: Start the Decentralized App
It is now time to start the DApp. But before that you are required to install the required dependencies by either of these; “npm i” or “yarn”. Once this is done, launch a local dev server using the following commands; “npm run dev” or “yarn run dev”. This step will make the Ethereum DApp run on the server.
Step 5: Test Your App
To try the decentralized application, you are first required to verify yourself with the help of your wallet. For this, tap on the “Connect Wallet” tab in the above right corner. This will initiate your MetaMask wallet. The moment you validate your identity, you can easily explore the DApp.
