Steemit Crypto Academy Season 4 - Homework Post for Task 8 by @hazmat : DECENTRALIZED APPLICATIONS DAPPS
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What are dApps? Explain the working system of dApps? What are the differences between dApps and other applications? Explain the advantages and disadvantages of dApps? How can dApps developers promote their apps? What should we pay attention to when using dApps? How do we find the information of a DApp that we want to know? Provide the steps (Screenshot required).
What are DApps
Conventional applications which we have today such as Twitter all follow one significant system in that the data involves is centralized.
Being centralized the owners of the applications have acccess to all the data that is being run through the application, and such access grants the authority to make modifications as they seem fit.
The reverse is the case when we talk about DApps.
DApps also called decentralized applications are application which are basically decentralized meaning that there is no authority controlling the system.
DApps run on smart contracts which are programs or codes that serve as a middle ground for which the system is run.
Transactions are based on a P2P system which is also called peer to peer where every user has access to the same data and is responsible for the data on the system.
Here you can refer to it as a community based system where interaction is direct and no third party is involved to facilitate them.
Explain the working system of DApps?
DApps or decentralized applications run on what is know as smart contracts.
In a sharp contrast to what we have on centralized networks with a single autonomous authority. Being decentralized, DApps are open and accessible to any user on the network.
On conventional system which do not run on the same network, making a transaction firstly requires one party facilitating a transaction on his network, then the network has to validates it on the other party network before the transaction can be successfully made.
Using smart contracts DApps perform the same functions with no third party involved, this makes them faster and easier and removing loss of time common on centralized systems.
What is the differences between DApps and other applications?
The differences between other applications and Decentralized ones include
| Other Applications | Decentralized Applications |
|---|---|
| Authority | |
| Other applications run on a single network authority | Decentralized applications on the other hand are open and transparent and do not run on a single authority system. |
| Time rate | |
| Other applications require validation between the different networks to facilitate a transaction | By using smart as it's middle ground DApps can perform transactions at a faster rate and only require the two individual parties |
| Privacy | |
| Other applications have the authority to use data as they deem fit | For DApps they can perform the same functions without user worrying on malicious use of data making them much safer |
| Security | |
| Other applications are not as secure | DApps can guarantee a high level of security for it's users |
| Attacks | |
| Other applications are usually subjects of many cyber attacks and bugs | DApps on the other hand have a higher resistance to bugs and attacks |
| Connectivity | |
| Other applications perform different functions | DApps can perform the same group of functions because the basics are all similar |
Explain advantages and disadvantage of DApps
Advantages of DApps
Some of the advantages of decentralized applications include
• Authority Resistant
Being decentralized they are resistant to forms of state control or authority power grab this making them easily trustworthy for making transactions.
•Server downtime
For decentralized applications there is no such thing as a downtime with the servers as is quite common in centralized systems especially when they are subject to cyber attacks
• Data Trustworthy
Thanks primarily to the use of cryptography, data cannot be changed by fraudulent individuals for purposes which are not trustworthy or might be malicious.
•Third party Removal•
Using smart contracts helps DApps to remove the time loss involved with third parties in conventional system
Disadvantages of DApps include
Disadvantages of DApps
•Complex nature
Because of the detailed involved with running them, building a decentralized application can be very complex
•Issues with changes
When there is a bug related issue changes will be difficult because every user is connected to the same network.
•Authority Decentralized
Being decentralized, it is difficult to making reverse in a transaction gone wrong on this system.
How can DApps developers promote their apps?
There are a number of ways in which a developer of a decentralized applications can try to promote an app they are developing.
• A lot of promotions we see today are on our social media applications mainly Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Using these platforms can be advantageous to the developer as you can easily reach millions of people with a well coordinated advertisement program.
• Also making sure the app is properly functioning and in constant maintenance mode, as feedbacks from users already on the system will improve how people perceive the app.
An app with a 4.5 rating on Google play store will be more likely used than one with a 2.0 rating.
What do we pay attention to when using DApps?
As earlier mentioned about decentralized applications, errors in transaction are difficult to change and as such a user has to be careful with the details they Input when performing a transaction or else they will lose all their money.
Some DApps are not as they seem and as such you have to perform rigorous research to ascertain that things are as you think they are. Some of them do not have user friendly policies and unsuspecting user can be caught unaware.
How do we find the information on a DApp that we want to know?
Information on DApps can be found on the site dappradar.comlink , and by visiting the site one can have access to them.
The following are easy steps to navigate the site
STEP 1
Type in dappradar.com on your browser or click the link
This is the homepage view of the site showing different interface that can be accessed.
STEP 2
You can navigate through by clicking the sides to see interface for Games, Exchange, and Gambling.
STEP 3
Clicking the three lines at the top right hand corner of my screen
I was able to access the search bar
STEP 4
Then searching for steemit since it is one I am familiar with, the following came up and I selected steemit.
STEP 5
The following information were shown about the steemit DApp
CONCLUSION
Decentralized application if further improved will be a major part of our everyday system.
This lecture has further improved my knowledge of them as i was only conversant with just the basic knowledge about them.
A thanks to the professor @sapwood for the lecture.