Building Decentralized Applications

7 min readMar 22, 2023

A Comprehensive Guide for Web3 Developers

TLDR

What is a dApp
Understanding the Web3 Stack Steps for building a dApp
Start building on OKC (OKX Chain)
Maintaining and scaling a dApp

What is a dApp?

Decentralized applications, or dApps, operate without relying on a central server or system. The “D” in “dApps” stands for decentralized, indicating that these applications leverage Web3 technologies like blockchain to create functions and logic that are rigid and secure. Unlike traditional applications, dApps have a backend code running on blockchains rather than centralized platforms. With tamper-proof smart contracts and other security measures, dAppsoffer benefits like enhanced privacy, anonymity, censorship resistance, zero downtime, and trustlessness.

Understanding the Web3 Stack

To build decentralized applications, it’s important to understand the Web3 stack, which comprises several components that work together to enable the creation and use of dApps.

Compared to the traditional Web2 stack, which relies on centralized servers and platforms, the Web3 stack is decentralized and distributed. Here are the components of the Web3 stack and their importance in building dApps:

Blockchain: A decentralized and immutable ledger that stores data and executes smart contracts. Popular blockchain platforms used in building dApps include Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and Polkadot.
Decentralized Storage: dApps require storage that is distributed and resilient. The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a popular decentralized storage solution that allows files to be stored across a network of nodes.
Identity and Access Management: To interact with dApps, users need to have secure and decentralized identities. Several Web3 technologies, such as uPort and Civic, provide identity solutions for dApps.
Consensus Mechanisms: To ensure that the blockchain is secure and transactions are valid, consensus mechanisms are used. Proof-of-Work (PoW), Proof-of-Stake (PoS), and Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) are some popular consensus mechanisms used in Web3.
Web3 APIs: APIs are used to access the functionalities of the Web3 stack. Popular APIs include Infura, Alchemy, and QuickNode.

Each of these components plays a crucial role in the Web3 stack, and together, they enable the creation of dApps that are decentralized, secure, and transparent. By using popular Web3 technologies like Ethereum, IPFS, and others, developers can build powerful and innovative dApps that leverage the benefits of blockchain technology.

The typical tech stack for building a dApp

Here is an overview of the tech stack needed to work on a dApp.

ReactJS/NextJS — front-end JavaScript frameworks
TypeScript — for creating stable and better web pages
Web3.js — helps to connect the webpage to blockchain
EtherJS — a high-level library similar to Web3.js
Truffle — development tool for smart contract development
Solidity — programming language used to write smart contracts on the Ethereum Blockchain

Developing a dApp

Basic steps for building a dApp

Step 1: Choose a blockchain

The first step in building a dApp is to choose a blockchain to build on. There are several options to choose from, this will be Each blockchain has its own unique features and capabilities, so it’s important to choose one that meets the needs of your dApp.

Criteria to look out for when choosing a blockchain to build on:

Programming Language
Transactions per second
Transaction Cost
Consensus Mechanism
Development Capability
Scalability
Security
Community support

For example, OKX Chain is an EVM and IBC compatible L1 blockchain network built on Cosmos with fast Transaction Speeds (6000TPS) and low Transaction Fees.

Step 2: Set up a development environment

Next, you’ll need to set up a development environment that allows you to build and test your dApp. This typically involves installing a local blockchain testnet, such as Ganache, as well as a set of development tools, such as Truffle and Web3.js.

Step 3: Design the smart contracts

A dApp typically consists of one or more smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement between buyer and seller being directly written into lines of code. You’ll need to design and write the smart contracts that form the backbone of your dApp.

Step 4: Develop the front-end

Once the smart contracts are complete, you’ll need to develop the front-end of your dApp, which is the user interface that people will interact with. This typically involves building a web application using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Step 5: Test and deploy the dApp on OKC (OKX Chain)

Before you can release your dApp to the public, you’ll need to thoroughly test it to ensure that it is bug-free and secure. Once you’re confident in the stability of your dApp, you can deploy it to a public blockchain, such as OKX Chain so that it can be accessed by anyone.

To start building on OKC (OKX Chain):

Step 1: Run a Validator (Optional)

Running a validator node is an essential step in launching a decentralized application (dApp). A validator node is responsible for verifying transactions and adding them to the blockchain. To run a validator node, you will need to set up a node on the blockchain network of your choice. This typically involves setting up a server, installing the necessary software, and configuring the node to connect to the blockchain network. Refer to the docs for more detail here

Step 2: Check the code

Before launching a dApp, it is essential to check the code thoroughly to ensure that it is free of bugs and vulnerabilities. This involves conducting code reviews, running automated testing tools, and using static analysis tools to identify potential issues in the code. It is also important to ensure that the code follows best practices and standards for the blockchain network on which the dApp will be launched.

Step 3: Launch Your dApp

After running a validator node and checking the code, the next step is to launch the dApp. This involves deploying the dApp’s smart contract(s) to the blockchain network and making the dApp accessible to users. It is essential to ensure that the deployment process is secure and that the dApp functions as intended before making it available to users. Deploy with Remix or Truffle on OKC (OKX Chain)

Step 4: Test your dApp

To test your dApp before launching it on the mainnet, you can use a testnet faucet, like the OKC Testnet Faucet to obtain testnet tokens. Testnet tokens are tokens that are used for testing purposes only and have no value in the real world. Testnet faucets allow developers to obtain these tokens for free, allowing them to test their dApps without having to use real tokens. It is important to use a reputable testnet faucet and to follow the instructions carefully to obtain testnet tokens.

Maintaining and Scaling a dApp

Maintaining and scaling a dApp are crucial components of the development process. After deploying a dApp, it is essential to maintain it to ensure that it remains secure and functional. This involves regularly updating the dApp’s code to fix bugs and vulnerabilities, adding new features, and making sure that the dApp’s smart contract(s) remain up-to-date with the latest standards and protocols.

Scaling a dApp

As the number of users and transactions on the blockchain network increases, the dApp must be able to handle the increased traffic. There are various scaling options available for dApps, such as sharding, sidechains, and state channels. Each approach has its benefits and tradeoffs, and it is important to consider which approach is most suitable for your dApp.

For example, sharding is a popular scaling approach that involves breaking up the blockchain network into smaller, more manageable parts. This can increase the speed and efficiency of the network, but it can also make it more complex to maintain and secure. Sidechains, on the other hand, allow transactions to be conducted off the main blockchain, which can reduce congestion on the main network. However, sidechains may not offer the same level of security as the main network.

To maintain and scale a dApp effectively, it is essential to follow best practices, such as using automated testing tools, conducting regular code reviews, and monitoring the dApp’s performance and security. It is also important to engage with the community and seek feedback from users to ensure that the dApp remains relevant and meets their needs. By following these best practices and considering the available scaling options, developers can ensure that their dApps remain secure, functional, and scalable.

As the adoption of blockchain technology continues to grow, the demand for secure and decentralized applications will only increase. dApps have the potential to transform the way we interact with technology and provide new opportunities for innovation.

About OKC (OKX Chain)

OKC (OKX Chain) is an EVM- and IBC-compatible L1 built on Cosmos with a focus on true interoperability and maximized performance. At high scalability, developers can build and scale with low gas fees. The OKC (OKX Chain) ecosystem and infrastructure, including the all-in-one multi-chain Web3 interface, enables a seamless experience for both developers and users.

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