A Complete Introduction to Smart Contract Development

Smart contracts represent one of the most useful applications of blockchain technology. Taking advantage of the applicability of blockchain, smart contracts help us program and save additional data into blocks while still ensuring decentralization, security and transparency.

In this article, VNEXT Global shares the basics about the introduction and method of smart contract development.

1. What is a smart contract?

A smart contract is a computer program or a transaction protocol that is intended to automatically execute, control or document events and actions according to the terms of a contract or an agreement. Smart contracts are stored on a blockchain, which is a distributed ledger that records transactions and ensures their security and immutability. Smart contracts can be used to automate the execution of an agreement without the need for a central authority, legal system, or external enforcement mechanism.

A Smart Contract includes 4 elements:

Subject of the contract: The parties directly participating in the contract. In which parties are granted access to control the contract execution process.
Contract terms: Are the agreement contents set out and accepted by the parties. They are specified in string form and special programming.
Digital signature: The parties must agree on a digital signature when participating in a Smart Contract and perform operations through that digital signature.
Decentralized platform: Once the agreement is completed, the Smart Contract is uploaded to the Blockchain platform for further distribution and data storage.

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2. Differences between a smart contract and a traditional contract

A smart contract and a traditional contract are both agreements between two or more parties that specify the terms and conditions of a transaction or an exchange. However, there are some key differences between them that affect how they are created, executed, and enforced. Here are some of the main differences:

• A smart contract is a computer program that runs on a blockchain, which is a distributed ledger that records and verifies transactions. A traditional contract is usually a written document that is signed by the parties and witnessed by a third party.

• A smart contract is self-executing and can automatically perform actions when certain conditions are met. A traditional contract requires human intervention or external enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance.

• A smart contract is immutable and transparent, meaning that it cannot be changed or tampered with once it is deployed on the blockchain. A traditional contract can be modified or breached by the parties or by external factors.

• A smart contract is more secure and efficient than a traditional contract, as it reduces the risk of fraud, error, miscommunication, and intermediation costs. A traditional contract may involve more uncertainty, complexity, and expense.

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3. Some real-world use cases of smart contracts

Smart contracts have many potential applications in different domains and industries, such as:

• Finance: Smart contracts can enable decentralized finance (DeFi) services, such as lending, borrowing, trading, investing, and staking cryptocurrencies. For example, Compound is a DeFi platform that allows users to earn interest or borrow assets against collateral using smart contracts. Smart contracts can also facilitate cross-border payments, remittances, and escrow services.

• Gaming: Smart contracts can create digital assets that are unique, scarce, and verifiable, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). NFTs can represent in-game items, characters, or collectibles that can be owned, traded, or used by players. For example, CryptoKitties is a game that allows users to breed, collect, and sell digital cats using smart contracts.

• Legal: Smart contracts can streamline and simplify legal processes, such as contract drafting, execution, and enforcement. Smart contracts can also reduce the need for lawyers, courts, or arbitrators by providing clear and transparent rules and outcomes. For example, OpenLaw is a platform that allows users to create and manage legal agreements using smart contracts.

• Real estate: Smart contracts can improve the efficiency and security of real estate transactions, such as buying, selling, renting, or leasing properties. Smart contracts can also eliminate the need for intermediaries, such as agents, brokers, or notaries, by automating the verification of ownership, identity, and payments. For example, Propy is a platform that allows users to buy and sell properties using smart contracts.

• Healthcare: Smart contracts can enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, such as patient records, prescriptions, insurance claims, or clinical trials. Smart contracts can also ensure the privacy and security of health data by allowing selective sharing and encryption. For example, MedRec is a system that uses smart contracts to create a decentralized medical record network.

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4. Five steps to create a smart contract

To create a smart contract, you need to follow some steps:

• Choose a programming language

First, you need to choose a programming language that is compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), which is the runtime environment for smart contracts on Ethereum. The most popular and widely used language is Solidity, which is a high-level language that resembles JavaScript and C++. You can also use other languages, such as Vyper, Serpent, or LLL, but they are less common and have less documentation and support.

• Write smart contract code

Second, you need to write your smart contract code using an editor or an integrated development environment (IDE) that supports Solidity or your chosen language. You can use online tools, such as Remix IDE, Pragma, or Ethereum Studio, or you can use local tools, such as Visual Studio Code, Atom, or Truffle. You can find many tutorials and examples of smart contract codes online.

Here are some efficient tools and technologies that VNEXT Global are using for clients projects.

• Compile code into bytecode

Third, you need to compile your smart contract code into bytecode that can be understood by the EVM. You can use the compiler provided by your editor or IDE, or you can use a standalone compiler, such as solc or solc-js. Compiling your code will also generate an application binary interface (ABI), which is a JSON file that describes the functions and parameters of your smart contract.

• Deploy smart contract bytecode

Fourth, you need to deploy your smart contract bytecode to the Ethereum blockchain. You can use a web browser extension, such as MetaMask, or a web service, such as MyEtherWallet or Infura, to connect to an Ethereum node and send a transaction that contains your bytecode and ABI. You will need to pay some Ether for the gas fee, which is the cost of executing your smart contract on the blockchain. You can choose to deploy your smart contract to the main net, which is the official Ethereum network, or to a test, which is a simulated network for testing purposes. Some of the popular test nets are Ropsten, Rinkeby, Kovan, and Goerli.

• Interact with smart contract

Fifth, you need to interact with your smart contract using its address and ABI. You can use the same tools that you used for deployment, such as MetaMask or MyEtherWallet, or you can use other tools, such as Etherscan or Web3.js, to call the functions and read the data of your smart contract. You can also create a web user interface for your smart contract using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

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5. Some popular smart contract development platforms

• Ethereum

Ethereum is the world’s first smart contract platform and remains the most popular among developers. It supports a variety of decentralized applications (DApps) in various domains, such as finance, gaming, art, and social media. Ethereum uses Solidity as its main programming language, which is a high-level language that resembles JavaScript and C++. Ethereum also has a large and active community, a rich ecosystem of tools and libraries, and a robust security model. However, Ethereum also faces some challenges, such as scalability, high gas fees, and network congestion.

• Solana

Solana is a high-performance, fast, and scalable network that can process up to 50,000 transactions per second (TPS) with low latency and low cost. Solana uses a novel consensus mechanism called Proof of History (PoH), which timestamps transactions with a verifiable delay function (VDF). Solana also supports smart contracts written in various languages, such as Rust, C, C++, and TypeScript. Solana has attracted many developers and users who seek speed and efficiency, especially in the fields of DeFi, NFTs, and Web3.

• Avalanche

Avalanche is a platform that enables the creation of custom blockchains and interoperable decentralized applications. Avalanche uses a unique consensus protocol called Avalanche Consensus, which is based on a directed acyclic graph (DAG) structure and allows for fast finality and high throughput. Avalanche also supports smart contracts written in Solidity or other Ethereum-compatible languages. Avalanche aims to provide a scalable, secure, and flexible solution for various use cases, such as DeFi, gaming, identity, and enterprise.

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FINAL THOUGHT:

In general, smart contract development is a complex project that a business is facing. There are 2 ways to proceed: in-house or outsourced. On the one hand, in-house development gives you more control and flexibility, but it also requires more resources and commitment. On the other hand, outsourcing development gives you more convenience and efficiency, but it also involves more risks and challenges. So the best option for you depends on your specific situation and goals. You can also consider a hybrid approach that combines both options to get the best of both worlds. For example, you can outsource some parts of your smart contract development that are not core to your business or that require specialized skills, while keeping other parts in-house that are critical to your strategy or that require ongoing support and collaboration

When it comes to outsourcing decisions, you may face difficulties in finding, hiring, and retaining qualified developers who have experience and expertise in smart contract development. If you are looking for a trusted IT partner for crypto development solutions, VNEXT Global is a prioritized blockchain development company. So far, VNEXT Global delivered full-cycle IT services to 289+ clients all over the world with 600+ mobility projects in various industries (Blockchain Development, Healthcare, Mobile App, Web App, System Development and Testing Services). Regarding the blockchain development sector, we are covering NFT Marketplace, GameFi Development, E-Wallet, iGaming & Lottery Services, ICO Support, P2E (Play-to-Earn) with an agile process. With 14+ years of experience, we certainly can help you to optimize your business digitalization within a small budget and short time.