StreamCardano, the reliable and inexpensive serverless blockchain for every Cardano decentralized applications

Cardano dApps

Cardano is one of the biggest blockchain platforms worldwide. It is the first blockchain platform built through peer-reviewed research. It is the third-generation platform because it stands out from other cryptocurrency platforms, using proof-of-stake (POS) protocol to validate transactions. Proof-of-stake is more energy efficient than proof-of-work introduced by Bitcoin. Many cryptocurrencies now use proof-of-stake blockchains, but Cardano is widely known as the largest. Cardano was launched two years after being founded by Charles Hoskinson in 2015. This exchange platform has a native coin known as ADA, which allows peer-to-peer transactions. This coin was released in 2015 and was named after a countess and English mathematician in the 19th century, Augusta Ada Lovelace, commonly known as the first computer programmer. Sometimes, Cardano is also referred to as ADA.

Decentralized applications (dApps) are like other traditional applications commonly used on phones; however, there are significant differences between them. DApps have no single authority controlling them. They cannot be shut down and cannot undergo downtime. They are built on or run on a blockchain peer-to-peer (P2P) network of computers instead of a single computer. They secure users’ privacy, as users can avoid sharing their personal information. DApps are also praised for their speed as compared to traditional transnational money transfers, as they enable faster payment processes due to the absence of an intermediary. These modern applications allow quick, easy access to verify transaction information and provide reliable data records accessible by users from the public blockchain.

Decentralized applications are classified as types (layers) I, II, and III.

Type I are decentralized applications with their blockchain. An example is the Cardano blockchain.
Type II dApps are the ones that leverage the Type I applications blockchain. They are protocols and usually require tokens to function. An example is the Corda Protocol.
Type III are decentralized applications that use type II applications protocol. They are decentralized communication network and data storage that replaces data centres and servers with additional computing resources for their users. The SAFE Network (Secure Access for Everyone) is an example of the type III dApps.

Cardano allows decentralized applications and supports the usage in different industries such as social media, gaming, trading, shopping, entertainment, decentralized financial services, or DeFi tools access. There are over 2000 decentralized applications on the ADA network, which are unique for their resistance to censorship, privacy, data integrity, zero downtime, trustless computation, and speed. Many developers are enticed to build dApps on the Cardano blockchain network due to its reliability and low fees. Examples of ADA decentralized applications are JPG Store, Minswap, Labs by Mutant Labs, and Mocossi Planet.

Serverless blockchain

Serverless blockchain is a cloud computing application development and execution model that allows software developers to build and run decentralized application code without providing or managing servers or backend infrastructure. It is also known as a blockchain-based serverless or blockchain-enabled serverless network. With the blockchain-based serverless network, you can fully focus on each function in your modern application code while another vendor provides backend services (underlying infrastructure) as needed. The developers still write custom server-side logic, but it will be run on traditional servers fully managed by the cloud services provider. Serverless blockchain vendors are responsible for decentralized application scaling, monitoring, logging, load balancing, capacity management, security patches, operating system, and file system.

Web application building was cumbersome for developers or companies before, as they had to buy the physical hardware needed to run a server. There was a shift to cloud computing, which involves renting an amount of server space or a fixed number of servers remotely. This was a great change, but it involved spending more to over-purchase to ensure applications’ monthly limit is not exceeded with larger traffic or activities. Even with the introduction of auto-scaling, DDoS attacks could not be skipped. But with the introduction of serverless hosting, computer programmers and companies can purchase backend services based on the amount they use (pay-as-you-go). According to Global Market Insights, serverless is predicted to grow by 25% between 2021 and 2027. Serverless is also predicted to reach $30 billion in market worth by the end of the forecast period.

Reduces cost: Serverless blockchain computing is a pay-as-you-go system. It reduces the amount developers spend on servers. They don’t have to pay cloud providers for unused servers; instead, they pay only for what they use. The mechanism behind this is that the stack service triggers when needed and responds to specific events or requests, and when not in use, it scales to zero.
Eliminates server management tasks: Companies specialized in writing application codes can avoid separate team specialized in maintaining their servers. With the emergence of serverless blockchain, server management tasks are given to third parties specialized in the field.
Speeds up delivery cycle: Coding experts can focus on writing decentralized application codes and make faster delivery without worrying about blockchain server management. This will increase their reputation, recommendations, and work.
Simplifies scalability: Computer programmers don’t have to worry about code scalability as serverless blockchain vendors are responsible for the task. Function instances are removed or created automatically based on traffic differences.

StreamCardano goals

StreamCardano serverless infrastructure is a new project proposed by Migamake in the Project Catalyst, Catalyst Fund8 (F8). Several proposals were submitted and are to be funded by the Cardano Community. Migamake StreamCardano serverless infrastructure project proposal was one of the proposals and was approved for funding. This project simplifies the development of Cardano dApp, by reducing the cost needed to build Cardano dApp and simplifying infrastructure settings and maintenance. We call it serverless blockchain software as a service (SaaS), since it will allow building dApps as pure frontends with a smart contract. That will allow developers to decouple maintenance and development costs. It will also bring dApp ideas to life much faster. Migamake focuses on high-performance Haskell projects, including parsing, data summarization, and blockchain services. We have also participated in various Cardano development projects previously.

How StreamCardano serverless works

StreamCardano SaaS project works by allowing Cardano blockchain status queries without bothering the backend deployments to receive notifications on updates. Our service subscribes to get live updates from the Cardano blockchain through JavaScript/TypeScript/PureScript library connection. A user interface is also provided for testing the queries during development (IDE) and setting up automated runs of the Cardano Wallet script whenever a query triggers. A minimal online IDE will employed for query testing, and a status page will allow confirmation that the service is working perfectly. Blockchain real-time change notifications are provided in this program through server-sent events, webhook calls, or wallet script execution. Finally, high-level security is addressed using SQL parsing, sandboxing, and user account separation.

A per-project access token will be given to any Cardano developer who creates a free account. This will enable them to arbitrarily query the Cardano blockchain database to extract details of the transactions and smart contract redeemer data. For an easy building of serverless, decentralized applications, software experts will be asked a subscription fee covering infrastructure costs. Tutorials and example apps that developers can adapt to serverless service users will be provided to software engineers for easy workflow. Software engineers who need support for Catalyst projects will also get support from us. These ideas will help increase the Cardano community and share the cost and burden needed for Cardano dApp serverless infrastructure project.

Benefits of StreamCardano serverless in dApps development

StreamCardano project primarily focuses on developers’ ergonomics and cheap service provision in its blockchain application building. Using our SaaS Cardano serverless project will help create a shared cache and instant-on dApp development. It will also reduce the electricity and cost needed for building dApps, make their building easy, support authors, and make Cardano a first choice and easy to develop on the platform for software experts. With the Catalyst funding and benefits mentioned, more developers will troop in developing new dApps and integration on the Cardano blockchain network.

Cardano dApps prototyping on StreamCardano

A prototype is the alpha version of decentralized application development. It is the preliminary version that allows running a computer program to test the application design before building it. A prototype is very important in dApp building because it saves time and resources and gives a view of the end blockchain application’s design (feature) and interaction in real-world usage (functionality). At Migamake, we will help you with any Cardano dApps. We are equipped with top developers, product managers, and UI/UX experts with experience in decentralized application prototyping. Choosing us will help you save money spent on your blockchain application building and give your application an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Some of our previous projects in multiple languages can be found here. We have also worked on the development and prototyping of various Cardano applications. Our prototyping skills will make your Cardano dApp work on any device perfectly. Contact us here to utilize the fastest and most secure method of Cardano dApp development and turn your theory and ideas into practice by producing a functional prototype.

Closed beta in Cardano dApps building

Closed beta testing is needed to identify bugs or UX improvements in your Cardano blockchain application. It will help get your Cardano dApp ready for the market and deliver higher quality. Feedback from the beta testing will help us improve the performance of StreamCardano for your dApp. You won’t have to worry about stumbling during application development, as you will be supported by our expert developers. With the Migamake StreamCardano platform, your Cardano blockchain apps will be built with the quality you need to succeed.

Takeaway

StreamCardano serverless infrastructure is a project proposed by Migamake and was approved and funded by Catalyst Fund8 to help Cardano decentralized application developers host their applications on the Cardano blockchain network. This project focuses on developers’ ergonomics, allowing application builders to focus on their code writing without bothering about their backend maintenance and cost. Our Cardano serverless computing project is a cost-effective, greener way of dApp development. Computer programmers and companies don’t have to buy physical hardware to run the server or pay for the underutilized server to manage their data. With the StreamCardano serverless infrastructure project, software engineers pay the amount of server they use (pay-as-you-go). Combining the Cardano high technology with our serverless infrastructure expertise, you get the best out of your dApp development. To enjoy the StreamCardano benefits, contact us here.

Glossary

ADA: Ada is the native digital currency owned by the Cardano blockchain platform. Sometimes, Cardano is also referred to as ADA.

Backend: It is the part of a computer system, such as an application, that users cannot access directly. It is responsible for data storage and manipulation.

Backend services: Backend services are cloud-based services that allow software experts to use third-party services for their application or website back end.

Blockchain: Blockchain is an information storage system that makes it difficult to be altered or hacked.

Cardano: Cardano is one of the largest and most secured blockchain platforms allowing peer-to-peer transactions through the proof-of-stake (POS) protocol.

Catalyst Fund: Catalyst Fund is a decentralized funding platform formed within the Cardano community to support tech innovators in emerging markets.

Closed beta testing: Closed beta testing is the final round of application testing before it is released to the public.

DApps: DApp is also a unique decentralized application with its fast speed, zero central controls, and personal information security.

DDoS attacks: DDoS attack is a malicious attack meant to disrupt the normal traffic of a network, server, or service by sending malicious internet traffic.

JavaScript: JavaScript is the world’s most popular programming language, working with the World Wide Web, HTML, and CSS.

Corda Protocol: Corda Protocol is a private blockchain that shares data with parties involved in the transaction.

Pay-as-you-go: This serverless blockchain process allows software experts to pay based on usage.

Peer-reviewed research: This process involves bringing experts in a particular field to critically assess the quality of scientific merit of an article and its research.

Proof-of-stake (POS): This is a process in which digital currency owners validate block transactions based on the number of staked coins to receive a reward (in cryptocurrency).

Proof-of-work (POW): This is the way in which crypto miners compete to verify transactions by solving a computationally complex problem. The one that solves the problem first has the right to validate the next block of transactions and receive cryptocurrency rewards.

Prototype: Prototype is the alpha (basic) testing of a decentralized application development before being built.

PureScript: PureScript is a type of programming language that complies with JavaScript.

SaaS: This cloud computing solution allows users to connect and use cloud-based services over the internet, without the need of configuration or local installation.

Sandboxing: Sandboxing is a cybersecurity practice that involves running code, observing, and analyzing in a safe, isolated environment on a network that mimics the end users’ operating environments. It removes suspicious code without risking harm to the host network.

Server-sent events: This technological process allows a client to receive automatic updates from a server through an HTTP connection. It is the perfect solution for real-time applications.

SQL parsing: This process involves separating SQL statements into a data structure that other routines can understand and process.

StreamCardano: StreamCardano is a new serverless blockchain project proposed by Migamake in the Project Catalyst, Catalyst Fund8 (F8). This project allows decentralized application developers to build their dApps on the Cardano serverless blockchain network.

Traditional applications: These network applications that were created using central servers, without smart contracts. They are the opposite of decentralized applications.

Transactions per second (TPS): The number of transactions a network can process per second.

TypeScript: This is a programing language that builds on JavaScript.