DApp Dazzle: Shining a Light on Decentralization

In my previous blogs, till now you have learned about basics of Blockchain and its use cases. For my today’s blog I’ll be talking about one of the most vast topic under Blockchain i.e: DApps

What is meant by DApp?

DApp or Decentralized Application, as the name depict are the distributed open source applications that run on peer to peer (P2P) network.

Apps vs DApps

DApps use smart contracts to complete their functionality.

The inherent decentralization of dApps allow other developers to build upon their codebase after initial release, liberating the application from the dominion of any singular entity. DApps are formulated with the intent of serving a multitude of purposes, encompassing realms like decentralized finance, web browsing, gaming, and social media.

These applications are constructed upon a decentralized network upheld by a blockchain-based distributed ledger. The integration of blockchain technology empowers a dApp to handle data across dispersed networks and carry out transactions seamlessly.

How does DApps work?

A DApp is just like anyother mobile/ web application. The only difference is that it has the core or building block in the form of Smart Contracts. The database files and much of the application logic aren’t stored on a single machine or server. They are stored on the blockchain network and executed on it.

The blockchain protocol oversees the concurrent execution of computer code, ensuring that the same security that protects transaction data on the blockchain also protects the application code. The dapp is not controlled by a single authority. This setup combines the smart contract part with the frontend user interface.

Smart contracts serve as fundamental components of a blockchain, handling data sourced from external sensors or events and aiding the blockchain in overseeing the status of all participants within the network. Typically employed to streamline the fulfillment of agreements, they ensure prompt confirmation of outcomes for all parties involved, eliminating the necessity for intermediaries or unnecessary delays. Moreover, these contracts can automate intricate workflows, triggering subsequent actions upon the satisfaction of specific conditions.

In a decentralized application, the frontend corresponds to the user interface, while the backend encompasses the entirety of the operational logic. One or multiple smart contracts interface with the underlying blockchain to embody this operational logic.

Benefits of DApps

There are multiple advantages of DApps which are explained below:

1. Distributed Architecture: One of the core advantages of dApps lies in their distributed architecture. In contrast to conventional applications under the control of a solitary entity or organization, dApps function on a decentralized network, rendering them resistant to censorship, manipulation, and other forms of interference.
2. Transparency: dApps exhibit transparency by allowing users to access all transactions and data stored on the blockchain. This transparency heightens security, fosters trust, and diminishes the likelihood of fraudulent activities and misconduct.
3. Enhanced Security: dApps boast heightened security compared to centralized applications due to their foundation on a blockchain network. This foundation makes it challenging for hackers to compromise the system. The decentralized nature of dApps also means there’s no singular point of vulnerability, enhancing their flexibility in resisting against cyber-attacks.
4. Cost-Efficiency: Developing dApps can be cost-effective as they function on a peer-to-peer network, reducing the need for intermediaries and the accompanying expenses.

Disadvantages of dApps:

As there are many plus points for dApps, we still have some challenges to face against it. Those are defined below:

1. Poor Usability: The ecosystem is complex and with a lot of new concepts to become used to, which means many Dapps are still not easily accessible.
2. Lack of Users: Being an early technology, many Dapps struggle with low user numbers, which make them less usable and bare in content. But this also means a lot of new opportunities for early adopters. The constrained functionalities inherent to the blockchain network and the associated programming language limitations is one of the reasons dApps are considered to be the challenge.
3. Complexity: Creating dApps can prove more twisted compared to constructing traditional applications, the understanding of blockchain technology and the related programming languages is also a blocker in this scenario.
4. Performance: dApps exhibit slower performance in comparison to centralized applications, owing to their reliance on consensus mechanisms that may interfere with transaction processing speed.
5. Scalability: The scalability of dApps can pose challenges due to the constraints of the blockchain network. As user numbers surge, network congestion may ensue, leading to delays in transaction processing.

Stay tuned for my further research on Blockchain’s concept.