Smart Contracts on Near Protocol: A Developer’s Guide

Developing smart contracts on Near Protocol is a journey that balances accessibility for newcomers with the depth required by experienced developers. This blend is achieved through a combination of user-friendly tools, comprehensive documentation, and a robust support system. Here’s a guide on the key concepts, best practices, and real-world use cases for smart contracts on Near.
Near Protocol’s environment is welcoming for those new to smart contract development. The platform offers clear documentation and a variety of educational resources, making the initial learning curve less steep. Beginners can start with simple projects and gradually move to more complex applications as they become more comfortable.

For veterans in the field, Near provides advanced functionalities and the ability to create complex, efficient smart contracts. The platform’s support for languages like JavaScript and Rust, coupled with its sophisticated SDKs, allows for the development of high-performance applications.

Understanding the fundamentals of smart contract technology is crucial. On Near, smart contracts are programs that live on the blockchain, interact asynchronously with other contracts, and manage real-value transactions. Developers must prioritize security due to the financial implications.

Given that smart contracts often deal with real money, security is paramount. Developers are advised to write clear, concise code, conduct thorough testing (including unit and integration tests), and adhere to established coding standards. Regular audits and peer reviews are also recommended to maintain high security standards.

Smart contracts on Near are versatile and can be applied in various domains, such as decentralized finance (DeFi), digital identity, supply chain management, and more. Exploring existing projects on platforms like AwesomeNEAR can provide inspiration and insight into potential applications.

Near’s strong community support, including forums, Discord channels, and regular office hours, offers developers a platform for collaboration, troubleshooting, and staying updated on the latest trends and best practices.

By navigating these aspects, developers can effectively leverage Near Protocol’s capabilities to build innovative, secure, and efficient smart contracts, contributing to a diverse and dynamic blockchain ecosystem.

Smart contracts on Near are simple programs stored on the blockchain. They store data and provide methods for interaction, similar to modern applications. As a developer, you need to know that Near smart contracts have limited computational resources, interact with other contracts asynchronously, and often deal with real money, making security a top priority​​.

Smart contracts on Near Protocol, while conceptually simple, embody a range of functionalities and considerations critical for developers:

At their core, Near smart contracts are programs that reside on the blockchain. They are akin to traditional applications but operate in a decentralized context. These contracts store data relevant to the application and provide various methods for users to interact with that data. This can range from simple data retrieval to executing complex business logic.

Unlike traditional cloud computing resources, smart contracts on Near operate within a more constrained environment. Computational resources such as processing power and memory are limited. Developers must write efficient code that optimizes resource usage to ensure that their contracts execute effectively within these constraints.

Smart contracts on Near often interact with other contracts on the network. These interactions are asynchronous, meaning they don’t happen instantly. Understanding and effectively managing these asynchronous calls is vital for building reliable and responsive applications.

A significant aspect of smart contracts on Near is their ability to handle real money or assets of real-world value. This could be in the form of cryptocurrency transactions, tokenized assets, or other financial instruments. The handling of real value elevates the importance of security in contract development.

Given the financial implications and the immutable nature of blockchain, security is paramount in smart contract development. Developers need to be vigilant about potential vulnerabilities and employ best practices in coding, testing, and deployment. This includes rigorous testing for edge cases, code audits, and staying updated with the latest security protocols in the blockchain space.

The field of smart contracts is rapidly evolving. Staying informed about the latest developments in blockchain technology, smart contract standards, and security advancements is crucial for developers working in this space.

In summary, smart contracts on Near are powerful tools for decentralized applications, but they require careful consideration of resource management, asynchronous interactions, and stringent security practices, particularly because they often deal with real-world value.

Developers can write smart contracts in Near using JavaScript or Rust. Regardless of the chosen language, the Near Software Development Kit (SDK) aids in compiling the contract into WebAssembly, which can then be deployed and executed on the Near platform​​.

The choice of development languages in Near Protocol offers flexibility and caters to a wide range of developer preferences and project requirements:

Near Protocol supports two primary languages for smart contract development: JavaScript and Rust. JavaScript, known for its ubiquity in web development, makes the transition to blockchain development smoother for those familiar with it. Rust, on the other hand, is renowned for its performance and safety, making it ideal for developers looking to leverage these attributes in their smart contracts.

Language-Specific Advantages.

JavaScript. It’s a good choice for developers who prioritize rapid development and have experience in web development. JavaScript’s extensive ecosystem and vast array of libraries make it a versatile option for a wide range of applications.
Rust. Preferred for its robustness and safety features, Rust is ideal for contracts that require high performance and secure handling of transactions. Its strong typing and memory safety features reduce the risk of common programming errors that can lead to security vulnerabilities.

The Near Software Development Kit (SDK) plays a crucial role in the development process, irrespective of the chosen language. It provides the necessary tools and libraries to build, test, and deploy smart contracts on Near. The SDK simplifies interactions with the blockchain, handling aspects like transaction processing, account management, and more.

An essential feature of Near’s development process is the compilation of smart contracts into WebAssembly (WASM). This step is crucial as WASM provides a high-performance and secure runtime environment, which is a perfect fit for executing code on a blockchain. Both JavaScript and Rust smart contracts are compiled into WASM, ensuring consistency and efficiency in contract execution.

The use of WebAssembly also means that smart contracts on Near are cross-platform. They can be executed on any machine that supports WASM, making Near smart contracts highly portable and flexible.

Near Protocol provides extensive documentation and support for both languages. This includes tutorials, sample code, and best practices to assist developers in writing optimized and secure smart contracts.

In summary, the development languages offered by Near Protocol cater to different developer strengths and project needs, while the unified Near SDK and the WebAssembly compilation ensure a consistent, efficient, and secure development experience across the board.

The development journey on Near involves using several key tools. These include the Near wallet for storing and interacting with NEAR tokens, the block explorer for monitoring network activity, and the command-line interface (CLI) for various operations​​.

The development journey on Near Protocol is facilitated by a suite of essential tools, each serving a distinct purpose in the ecosystem:

The Near Wallet is a critical tool for developers and users alike. It allows for the secure storage and management of NEAR tokens, which are essential for executing transactions and deploying smart contracts on the network. The wallet’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to interact with the Near blockchain, manage account details, and view transaction history.

The Near Block Explorer is an invaluable resource for developers. It provides real-time insights into the activities occurring on the Near blockchain. This includes viewing recent blocks, transactions, and smart contract deployments. The block explorer is essential for debugging, as it allows developers to verify if transactions have been successfully processed and to inspect changes made on the blockchain.

The Near CLI is a versatile tool that enables developers to interact with the Near blockchain directly from the command line. It’s used for a range of tasks, from creating and managing accounts to deploying and interacting with smart contracts. The CLI is particularly useful for automation and for developers who prefer a more hands-on, scriptable approach to blockchain interaction.

The Software Development Kits (SDKs) for JavaScript and Rust are pivotal for developing smart contracts on Near. They provide libraries and APIs that simplify the process of writing, testing, and deploying smart contracts, making it more efficient and less prone to errors.

There are various Integrated Development Environment (IDE) plugins and extensions available for Near development. These tools integrate with popular code editors, offering features like syntax highlighting, code completion, and direct interaction with the Near blockchain. They enhance the development experience by making it more intuitive and efficient.

Near provides tools for testing smart contracts in a simulated environment before deploying them on the mainnet. This includes local testnets and sandbox environments, which are crucial for ensuring that contracts function as expected without risking real assets.

Comprehensive documentation and tutorials are available for developers on the Near website. These resources are essential for understanding the platform’s capabilities, learning best practices, and staying updated with the latest features and changes.

By leveraging these tools, developers can effectively navigate the Near ecosystem, from initial development stages through to deployment and beyond, ensuring a smooth and productive development experience.

Near provides a variety of learning resources for builders, covering both technical and non-technical aspects. These resources are continuously updated, ensuring developers have access to the latest information and guidance​​.

The building and testing phases are crucial in the lifecycle of a smart contract on Near Protocol, encompassing several detailed steps and practices.

Building the Smart Contract.

Start by writing the smart contract code using either JavaScript or Rust, depending on your preference and project requirements. This involves implementing the business logic, defining functions for interacting with the contract, and setting up the necessary data structures.

Set up a local development environment using Near’s tools and SDKs. This environment is where you’ll write, compile, and initially test your smart contract.

Once the contract is written, use the Near SDK to compile it into WebAssembly (WASM). This step is crucial as WASM is the bytecode format that runs on the Near blockchain.

Testing the Smart Contract.

Begin with unit tests that focus on individual functions or components of your smart contract. These tests are essential for validating the logic and behavior of each part of your contract in isolation.

Perform integration tests to ensure that different parts of your smart contract work together as expected. This includes testing interactions with other contracts and ensuring that state changes are handled correctly.

Deploy your smart contract to the Near testnet. This is a public blockchain environment that simulates the mainnet but doesn’t involve real funds. Testnet deployment allows you to interact with your contract under real-world conditions.

Utilize automated testing tools and frameworks that can help streamline the testing process. These tools can simulate different scenarios and automate interactions with your contract.

Developing Web Frontends for dApps.

For contracts that will be part of a dApp, developing a user-friendly web frontend is crucial. This involves designing and implementing a web interface that interacts with your smart contract.

Use Near’s API and SDKs to connect your web frontend with the smart contract on the blockchain. This includes functions for sending transactions, querying contract state, and handling user authentication.

Test the frontend thoroughly to ensure it interacts correctly with the smart contract and provides a smooth user experience. Pay attention to UI/UX aspects, error handling, and responsiveness to different devices and browsers.

Iterative Development and Feedback. Smart contract development is typically an iterative process. Based on testing outcomes and user feedback, continuously refine and update your contract and frontend application.

By following these steps and practices, developers can ensure that their smart contracts and associated dApps on Near Protocol are well-crafted, functional, and ready for deployment to the mainnet.

Near Protocol’s provision of Software Development Kits (SDKs) for JavaScript and Rust, along with a Command-Line Interface (CLI), forms a comprehensive toolkit that streamlines the development, testing, and deployment of smart contracts:

JavaScript and Rust SDKs.

These SDKs are tailored to the needs of smart contract development. They provide a range of functions and utilities that make it easier to write, compile, and interact with smart contracts on the Near blockchain.

The JavaScript SDK is designed for developers familiar with web development and JavaScript, offering a smooth transition to blockchain development. The Rust SDK caters to those seeking performance and security, inherent in Rust’s design.

Both SDKs come with comprehensive documentation, sample code, and best practices. This support significantly reduces the learning curve for new developers and enhances productivity for experienced ones.

Command-Line Interface (CLI).

The Near CLI is a powerful and versatile tool for interacting with the Near blockchain. It allows developers to perform a wide range of tasks directly from the command line, such as managing accounts, sending transactions, and deploying smart contracts.

The CLI is particularly useful for scripting and automating tasks, making it a valuable asset for developers who prefer a more hands-on approach or need to integrate blockchain operations into larger automated systems.

With the CLI, developers get immediate feedback on their commands, which is crucial for debugging and understanding the nuances of blockchain interactions.

Combined Ecosystem for Development.

The SDKs and CLI work together to provide an integrated workflow for smart contract development. Developers can write and test their contracts using the SDKs and then use the CLI for deployment and management.

This combination ensures consistency in the development environment, making it easier to manage projects and collaborate with other developers.

Near continuously updates these tools, adding new features and improvements based on developer feedback and the evolving needs of the blockchain ecosystem.

For inspiration and understanding of what’s possible, developers can explore AwesomeNEAR, a directory of projects built on Near. This includes various applications like fungible tokens (FTs) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs)​​.

Exploring use cases of smart contracts on Near Protocol is a journey into the diverse and innovative applications being developed in the blockchain space. AwesomeNEAR serves as a comprehensive directory that showcases a broad spectrum of projects built on Near, offering valuable insights and inspiration to developers.

Projects on AwesomeNEAR.

AwesomeNEAR provides a window into the variety of applications possible on Near, ranging from decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms to digital art marketplaces.

By examining existing projects, developers can understand how various concepts are implemented in practice, providing a practical perspective beyond theoretical knowledge.

Fungible Tokens (FTs).

FTs represent assets with equivalent value, similar to traditional currencies. On Near, developers can create their own digital currencies or tokens that can be used for a variety of purposes like governance, utility in dApps, or as digital assets.

Many projects leverage FTs to power innovative DeFi applications, offering services like lending, borrowing, and yield farming.

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).

Unique Digital Collectibles: NFTs represent ownership of unique items and have gained significant popularity in areas like digital art, collectibles, and online gaming. Near’s blockchain offers an efficient and scalable platform for NFT projects.

New Forms of Digital Ownership and Creativity: NFTs on Near open up new avenues for digital creativity and ownership, enabling artists, musicians, and content creators to monetize their work in novel ways.

Beyond FTs and NFTs.

Near hosts various DAOs, where smart contracts are used to facilitate decentralized governance and collective decision-making.

Near’s blockchain can be used to create transparent and efficient supply chain solutions, enhancing traceability and accountability.

Leveraging the security and transparency of the blockchain, developers can build systems for secure digital identity verification.

Inspiration for Innovation.

By exploring these use cases, developers can identify gaps in the market and areas where blockchain technology can offer innovative solutions.

Engaging with the community on platforms like AwesomeNEAR can lead to collaboration opportunities and idea exchange, further spurring innovation.
Exploring the myriad of applications on AwesomeNEAR not only provides developers with concrete examples of what’s being built on Near Protocol but also stimulates creativity, encouraging them to think about how they can leverage Near’s capabilities to turn their own innovative ideas into reality.

As a developer on Near, you will always feel supported by the community. Near encourages developers to reach out with questions or engage in discussions through their official channels and Discord server, where they also host regular Office Hours​​.

While this guide provides an overview of developing smart contracts on Near Protocol, there’s a wealth of detailed information available in Near’s documentation and community resources for those looking to dive deeper into specific aspects of development and deployment.