How To Build a dApp in Three Steps
Tags: webdev, beginners, blockchain, web3
Published: 2023-01-12 22:25:42

Decentralized applications, or Dapps, are a new way of creating software that utilizes blockchain technology to provide a more secure and transparent environment for users. Building a dApp can seem daunting, but it can be broken down into three simple steps: creating the smart contract, deploying the smart contract, and creating the frontend application.

## Requirements

Please ensure you have the following installed:

- [NodeJS](https://nodejs.org/)
- [MetaMask](https://metamask.io/)

## **Step One: Creating the Smart Contract**

The first step in building a dApp is creating a smart contract. A smart contract is a self-executing contract that contains the rules and regulations of dApp. It is written in a programming language that is compatible with the blockchain platform being used. For example, if building on the Ethereum blockchain, the smart contract will be written in Solidity.

When writing the smart contract, it's important to consider the functionality and security of the dApp. The smart contract should be tested and reviewed by a team of developers to ensure that it is secure and free of errors.

```jsx
pragma solidity ^0.8.0;

contract MyDapp {

uint256 public counter;

function incrementCounter() public {
counter++;
}

function getCounter() public view returns (uint256) {
return counter;
}
}
```

This is a simple example of a smart contract written in Solidity. It has two functions, "incrementCounter" and "getCounter", which allow users to increment and retrieve the value of a counter variable.

## **Step Two: Deploying the Smart Contract**

Once the smart contract is written, it needs to be deployed to the blockchain. This is done using a development framework such as Truffle. The smart contract is compiled and then deployed to the blockchain using the "truffle migrate" command. This command will deploy the smart contract to the blockchain, making it accessible to users.

```jsx
const MyDapp = artifacts.require("MyDapp");

module.exports = function(deployer) {
deployer.deploy(MyDapp);
};
```

This is an example of a Truffle migration file that is used to deploy the "MyDapp" smart contract to the blockchain. It uses the "artifacts.require" function to import the compiled contract and the "deployer.deploy" function to deploy it to the blockchain.

## **Step Three: Creating the Frontend Application**

The final step in building a dApp is creating the frontend application. The frontend application is the user interface of the dApp and allows users to interact with the smart contract. It can be built using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. The frontend communicates with the smart contract through a web3.js library, which allows developers to interact with the blockchain.

```jsx
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>My DApp</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>My DApp</h1>
<p>Counter: <span id="counter"></span></p>
<button id="increment-button">Increment Counter</button>
<script src="[https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/web3@](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/web3@)1.2.9/dist/web3.min.js"></script>
<script>
// Connect to the blockchain network
if (typeof web3 !== 'undefined') {
web3 = new Web3(web3.currentProvider);
} else {
// set the provider you want from Web3.providers
web3 = new Web3(new Web3.providers.HttpProvider("**[http://localhost:8545](http://localhost:8545/)**"));}
// Set the address of the deployed smart contract
const contractAddress = '0x...';
const contract = new web3.eth.Contract(contractABI, contractAddress);
// Update the counter value on the page
contract.methods.getCounter().call().then(function(counter) {
document.querySelector('#counter').innerHTML = counter;
});
// Add event listener to the increment button
document.querySelector('#increment-button').addEventListener('click', function() {
contract.methods.incrementCounter().send({from: web3.eth.defaultAccount}).then(function() {
contract.methods.getCounter().call().then(function(counter) {
document.querySelector('#counter').innerHTML = counter;
});
});
});
</script>
</body>
</html>
```

This is an example of a simple HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frontend application that interacts with the deployed smart contract. It uses web3.js library to connect to the blockchain network and the address of the deployed contract. It also has a button that when pressed, it will call the "incrementCounter" function of the smart contract, and updates the counter value displayed on the page.

To summarize, building a dApp involves creating a smart contract, deploying it to the blockchain, and creating a frontend application. It's a process that requires knowledge of blockchain technology, smart contract programming and web development. With the right team and tools, it is possible to create a robust, secure, and user-friendly dApp that can change the way we interact with the internet.