Top 5 Frameworks for Dapps

Overview of Decentralized Applications (DApps)

Applications like Google, Twitter, Facebook and PayPal operate on platforms developed and managed through the firm. The apps run on an uncentralized server. That means that the companies have total control over the applications and capabilities.

DApps are similar in the way they function. Still, one can report directly to the blockchain rather than sending information back to Google and PayPal servers. The application helps to gain access to the blockchain.

DApps are software systems that operate on blockchain and peer-to-peer networks instead of centralized servers. Blockchain is the engine behind DApps technology. That is why they differ from other applications and may be superior to other applications.

Frameworks can aid in the development of better and faster applications. More decentralized applications (DApps) are deploying as blockchain technology advances. Frameworks explicitly designed to simplify DApp development are becoming more common.

There are top five frameworks for DApps

  • Truffle
  • Brownie
  • Hardhat
  • Embark
  • OpenZeppelin

Truffle

Truffle is a well-known framework that allows you to build Ethereum-based DApps. It’s a platform for development that allows blockchain developers to design Smart Contracts, develop and design the front-end designs of DApps and then test.

These are the characteristics that make Truffle such a powerful tool to create DApps based on Ethereum:

  • Built-in support allows you to build, deploy, and even create smart contracts.
  • There is an automated contract test.
  • Truffle console connects to the smart contract directly.
  • It is a seamless process of migration.
  • Truffle assists with managing networks for deployment to private and public networks.
To start the development environment and running. You must ensure that you already have Node.js running on your computer. After that, type this command in your terminal.
				
					$ npm install -g truffle
In your project, execute this command to initiate Truffle:
				
					$ truffle init
Following that, you can make your contracts compliant using trufflecompile, truffle migrate along tests on truffle. Add those contracts on the network and run the tests.

Brownie

Brownie is an open-source Python framework that creates and tests intelligent contracts specifically for the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) applications. It’s Python-based, using Python libraries like web3.py and the pytest library. Additionally, it uses python to create scripts.
Here are a few features of Brownie:
  • Solidity and Vyper are both supported by the platform. Solidity is a programming language that enables the creation of smart contracts for the blockchain, allowing transactions to be automated. Vyper is a Python-based experimental programming language created specifically for the EVM. It can make smart contracts with it.
  • To facilitate project involvement, you can use the built-in console.
  • It is a contract-based testing tool that uses Python. The framework Pytest can allow writing tests using Python for libraries and applications.
  • EthPM packages support. EthPM is a distributed package manager designed to distribute and package smart contracts to the Ethereum ecosystem.
  • It allows property-based as well as hypothesis-based testing. Brownie utilizes the hypothesis framework of DApps to enable testing based on property.

Brownie installation

We’ll use the Python 3.6 version or the latest to start Brownie installation. Brownie installation is possible using pip or pipx, but pipx is preferred.

To install pipx, run this command:

				
					python3 -m pip install --user pipx  
				
			
				
					python3 -m pipx ensurepath
Then use pipx to install the framework:
				
					pipx install eth-brownie
And see, it’s all done!

Hardhat

The framework Hardhat provides assist in designing and testing smart contracts for DApps. With Hardhat, it is possible to compile and deploy, test, and troubleshoot your decentralized applications (DApps).

Here are some characteristics that make Hardhat an excellent framework for creating DApps:

  • Solidity running:Quickly deploys tests, executed tests, and then analyses to create smart contracts.
  • Debugging:This program provides a fantastic debugging experience.
  • Flexibility:This is highly adaptable. You can modify whatever you want.
  • It's fully adaptable:Hardhat comes with an entire ecosystem of tools and plugins that you can install to expand the capabilities of this software.

Hardhat installation

Make sure you are running node.js Version 12 or greater installed on your PC for the installation process to begin. This command will install Hardhat:
				
					npm install -D hardhat
After it has been installed, we will use it to build the Hardhat project. We’ll be using the npx framework that comes with Node.js. It lets you run dependencies installed locally on your project on time. Execute this command to run Hardhat:
				
					$ npx hardhat

Embark

The Embark framework allows blockchain developers to create, test, and release DApps with no server. It makes most of the work involved in creating this application incredibly easy.

A few of the Embark framework’s features are:

  •  It enables automatic smart contract deployment.  
  •  Embark is compatible with IPFS decentralized storage and can help distribute your DApps on the internet.  
  •  It allows peer-to-peer communications.

Embark Installation

Before you start the installation process, make sure the tools are installed on your PC
  • Node.js.
  • Ethereum Client.
  • IPFS.
It’s not required to install Ethereum Client and IPFS. However, it’s highly recommended to install them.
Run this command to install Embark:
				
					npm -g install embark

OpenZeppelin

Let’s create smart contracts with our Truffle framework and OpenZeppelin Contracts for DApps. OpenZeppelin contracts contain Solidity codes imported into the source files. It helps reduce the amount of code that has to be written by hand.

OpenZeppelin installation

To install OpenZeppelin, use the following command:
				
					$ npm install @openzeppelin/cli
To set up an OpenZeppelin project, use the following:
				
					$ npx openzeppelin init
With the help of an example smart contract in the documentation of OpenZeppelin, which is below to compile this code
				
					// contracts/Counter.sol 
pragma solidity ^0.5.0;  
contract Counter {     
		uint256 public value;
		function increase() public {
				value++;
			}
	}
To compile, run the following:
				
					$ oz compile

Conclusion

Developers love DApps because they provide more functionality and benefits. That centralized applications and DApps can create using frameworks.

Before choosing the proper framework for your project, it is essential to determine what you are trying to build and what tools you will need. If you are looking for a Python-based program, Brownie is an excellent alternative.

We have learned:

  • What are DApps?
  • DApps are the key to future technology.
  • There are many types of DApps.
  • Top frameworks to build DApps.
  • These frameworks have many features.