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Learn Ethereum smart contract programming

ethereumdev.io

1–10 of 244 posts

Re: Learn Ethereum smart contract programming

#2
Maybe it's because I don't have a use for it yet, or at least don't know if I have a use for it. But, the whole Ethereum universe seems vague and seems like they could explain it more than they do. "Install Ethereum wallet, write a contract, ..., Profit!" ?? Is there a better source that might explain what it is, how it works (a glancing explanation not a full network inner workings)??

Re: Learn Ethereum smart contract programming

#3
post #2

Maybe it's because I don't have a use for it yet, or at least don't know if I have a use for it. But, the whole Ethereum universe seems vague and seems like they could explain it more than they do. "Install Ethereum wallet, write a contract, ..., Profit!" ?? Is there a better source that might explain what it is, how it works (a glancing explanation not a full network inner workings)??

Yeah people. Explain Ethereum without using the words "smart contract" please.

Re: Learn Ethereum smart contract programming

#4
post #2

Maybe it's because I don't have a use for it yet, or at least don't know if I have a use for it. But, the whole Ethereum universe seems vague and seems like they could explain it more than they do. "Install Ethereum wallet, write a contract, ..., Profit!" ?? Is there a better source that might explain what it is, how it works (a glancing explanation not a full network inner workings)??

The use-cases for smart contracts seem to be quite low, so I wonder if it really is worth the investment to learn to develop smart contracts. Additionally, even the smart contracts written by the experienced ethereum developers have contained bugs, resulting to losses of tens of millions worth of ethereum. To me it sounds like it is much smarter to use some pre-existing smart contract which is used by many, instead of making your own. However if you really have a new idea for smart contract then you could learn the language.

Re: Learn Ethereum smart contract programming

#6
post #2

Maybe it's because I don't have a use for it yet, or at least don't know if I have a use for it. But, the whole Ethereum universe seems vague and seems like they could explain it more than they do. "Install Ethereum wallet, write a contract, ..., Profit!" ?? Is there a better source that might explain what it is, how it works (a glancing explanation not a full network inner workings)??

Yeah people. Explain Ethereum without using the words "smart contract" please.

It's a distributed money database with stored procedures.

Re: Learn Ethereum smart contract programming

#7

I know this might sound like a joke, but it is not: how about documenting how to actually test and debug smart contracts? Is there even a way to do so? How about fuzzying?

They are frameworks for supporting development with testing (not covered it yet) for example http://truffleframework.com/

Re: Learn Ethereum smart contract programming

#9
post #2

Maybe it's because I don't have a use for it yet, or at least don't know if I have a use for it. But, the whole Ethereum universe seems vague and seems like they could explain it more than they do. "Install Ethereum wallet, write a contract, ..., Profit!" ?? Is there a better source that might explain what it is, how it works (a glancing explanation not a full network inner workings)??

The use-cases for smart contracts seem to be quite low, so I wonder if it really is worth the investment to learn to develop smart contracts. Additionally, even the smart contracts written by the experienced ethereum developers have contained bugs, resulting to losses of tens of millions worth of ethereum. To me it sounds like it is much smarter to use some pre-existing smart contract which is used by many, instead o…

"To me it sounds like it is much smarter to use some pre-existing smart contract which is used by many, instead of making your own." This is exactly how the last "big hacking" had happened https://qz.com/1034321/ethereum-hack-a-coding-error-led-to-3...

But as you said writing your own is also error prone.

Re: Learn Ethereum smart contract programming

#10
post #2

Maybe it's because I don't have a use for it yet, or at least don't know if I have a use for it. But, the whole Ethereum universe seems vague and seems like they could explain it more than they do. "Install Ethereum wallet, write a contract, ..., Profit!" ?? Is there a better source that might explain what it is, how it works (a glancing explanation not a full network inner workings)??

I Am Not An Expert.

If I understand correctly, these are a way to automate the execution of the financial part of normal contracts without the need for undue trust between parties. Some simple examples that might help (and I invite correction):

• I and a few investors agree to buy into an enterprise in several installments. A contract can be written to the blockchain that automates these payments. Should a majority of the investors decide to withdraw support, the payments will cease, but while more than 50% wish to continue support, everyone will continue.

• I have an enterprise that I am highly confident will generate profit. I can establish a smart contact that guarantees my investors a minimum ROI at specific intervals; should the balance fail to grow by the agreed margin, all investors will instead be refunded (in full or part) based on a scheme agreed a priori to be fair — say, a function of shares owned for how long.

• I and several other Ethereum miners agree to develop a scheme built on top of Ethereum for, say, a specific method of interoperability between the Ethereum blockchain and traditional futures markets. We have a specific idea for this, but agree we need to ensure that there is momentum in the project, and want those participating to have 'skin in the game'. We build a tontine such that all of us invest a non-trivial amount, and any investor becomes ineligible for payout if their hash power abandons the protocol. If this falls below a certain threshold, remaining investors can vote to continue or divide the pot and abandon the project.

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