As a seasoned software industry veteran with over 20 years of diverse experience under my belt, I can’t help but see the parallels between the early days of web2 and the current state of modularity in web3. The challenge today is reminiscent of the days when developers had to run their own servers and build complex client-server interactions, only this time we’re dealing with blockchain technology.
Progress in modularity has greatly expanded the design space for web3 developers, dismantling the single, comprehensive stack into smaller, more manageable components. However, this growth also brings forth fresh challenges that it is our responsibility as protocol creators to tackle.
Currently, there isn’t a comprehensive guide that takes developers through the entire process of building a dApp within the existing modular ecosystem. Instead, they have to embark on various learning paths, understanding each individual component before they can start construction. To enhance productivity, it’s crucial that we develop more user-friendly tools. It’s our responsibility to streamline the developer experience, and this can be achieved through collaboration.
The modular developer journey
Let’s sketch out the experience of a developer today. Before diving into creating their project, they need to decide on the foundation, or infrastructure, that will back their decentralized application (dApp). In traditional web environments (web2), this might be as straightforward as picking an operating system or using online no-code tools. However, with monolithic blockchains, it becomes a matter of choosing the layer-1 or layer-2 that aligns best with their technical and commercial needs. In the evolving landscape of web3, which is composed of multiple, interconnected components (modular), the complexity and long-term uncertainties make selecting a suitable protocol an increasingly challenging task.
In the modular approach, developers need to learn how to build a blockchain system piece by piece. Yet, many of these modular options are still under active development, so they’ll require time to be thoroughly tested and proven for their dependability and lasting significance.
Moreover, several essential connections and complex components required for modular architecture to operate effectively are either inadequately developed or difficult to construct. It’s important to note that most blockchain development paths tend to undergo changes as they progress; priorities shift, and there are no absolute guarantees about the final outcome.
Developers face a significant challenge in learning about the unique aspects, potential security threats, underlying trust factors, and technological maturity levels of numerous emerging protocols. Moreover, there’s often a scarcity of collaborative resources that effectively teach developers how to integrate these technologies seamlessly.
Developing a DApp currently involves significant risk, hassle, and complexity. However, by approaching the process with a strategic mindset and considering how each component interacts, developers can create user-friendly products more easily.
We’ve been here before
There are many valuable insights from the development of web2 that can and should be used in creating web3. Initially, developers often managed their own servers and created intricate client-server interactions to develop applications similar to web2, but this process was challenging and time-consuming. It wasn’t until the advent of cloud computing, JavaScript, AJAX, and responsive design that developers had a more conducive environment for building a user-friendly web2 platform capable of widespread adoption.
Abstracting shared characteristics of web2 systems from developers made it easy for widespread exploration and innovation, which ultimately resulted in the highly successful consumer apps we use now. Similarly, our goal with web3 should be to abstract away its fundamental traits, making it accessible for broad experimentation and eventual success.
Approaching a more solidified state is the monolithic chain structure, with Ethereum (ETH) serving as a case in point. Despite its limitations, developers have gained a profound comprehension of creating decentralized applications (dApps) within this context. This pioneering generation of web3 developers subsequently ventured to explore other blockchain platforms.
Today, developers’ aspirations have transcended their early-stage inquisitiveness and tinkering, as they now seek to construct advanced tools designed to tackle challenges and make a difference. To accomplish this, these solutions need to be adaptable and swift, which is best achieved through modular approaches.
In other words, while this flexibility adds a lot of complexity, it means there will be many more choices to make when designing a modular system for web3. To foster greater innovation and development, we need to hide or simplify these complexities, much like they were in the early days of web2.
Building bridges, not islands
As creators of modular protocols, it’s important to admit that this process can be chaotic, yet we have the ability to make it more organized. We should design smooth connections between these protocols and minimize complexity during integration, ensuring that even developers without extensive web3 knowledge can construct them effortlessly, following a straightforward sequence of steps.
There are three primary opportunities where we can collectively begin tackling these challenges.
Collaborative Multi-Platform Network Development: By joining forces, developers from various modular network protocols can collaborate on creating shared tools and interfaces that ease the process of building unified applications. This collaboration will lead to the creation of prototype tools that combine multiple protocols, enhancing the developer experience. These combined tools will allow developers to more efficiently choose the best setup for their decentralized apps (dApps), making it smoother to integrate these components into their project stack.
Collaborative Learning Material. Produce resources such as guides, tutorials, and explanatory documents that visually demonstrate the process of combining different modular protocols, explain how integrations work, and showcase how one system can enhance another. This will empower developers to make informed decisions about their requirements, choose more wisely, and ultimately construct robust decentralized applications (dApps).
Weekly collaborative experiments among partners. Collaborate on initiatives that unite developers from various modular communities and encourage them to explore and develop. This will aid developers in gaining a deeper understanding of the dApp-building process across different layers, open up possibilities for joint development, and stimulate dApp creation through experimentation.
The abundance of innovative modular solutions during the Cambrian explosion signifies progress in every direction, but working in isolation is no longer sustainable. To maximize the potential of our protocols, it’s crucial to transcend the competition that drains resources at every level and instead consider ways we can collaborate across different layers. The ultimate success comes when developers are free to concentrate solely on creating their products, rather than managing the underlying infrastructure designed to support them.
Erick de Moura, one of the founders at Cartesi, boasts more than two decades of experience in the software sector. This experience spans across various fields such as software business management, software development methodologies, and system design architecture. Before joining Cartesi, Erick headed teams and projects within multiple industries like health technology, e-commerce, and infrastructure. Presently, he is a board member and advisor for The Cartesi Foundation.
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2024-10-01 14:12