Distributed Applications (ĐApps)

Distributed Applications are software applications that are stored mostly on cloud computing platforms and that run on multiple systems simultaneously. The systems run on the same network and communicate with each other in an effort to complete a specific task or command.

Compared to a distributed app (ĐApp), a traditional app requires one system to achieve an assigned task.

A Distributed App (DApp) is designed to allow users of a network to collaborate and share ideas, co-ordinate on tasks, access information, and exchange apps through a server. DApps are mostly used on client-server networks where the user’s computer accesses information from the server or cloud computing server. The different computer systems that have been distributed across the network are normally tasked with similar or different objectives. For example, in an e-commerce platform, each of the computers may be responsible for specific tasks such as sending and receiving emails about special offers to current customers; compiling a list of customers and their purchase history to better target products to them; updating the customer list with new customers who have registered with the online market; accepting product reviews from each patron for future product decision-making; accepting various payment methods at checkout; answering customers’ questions online whether as a person behind the computer or a chatbot; etc.

In the cryptoeconomy, the blockchain used by most cryptocurrencies uses Distributed Apps to maintain an efficient digital marketplace. Rather than the conventional client-server network adopted by most centralized organizations, blockchains run on a peer-to-peer network where transactional information carried out between two parties is recorded and shared across multiple computers on the network. These computers are referred to as nodes. Each node acts as an administrator in the Bitcoin markets and joins the network voluntarily for the opportunity to receive Bitcoins as a reward.

Each node has a duplicate copy of an original transaction, which gets continually reconciled by the network. So whatever entry that node A has on its record for a Bitcoin transaction between Jane and John cannot differ from what nodes B, C, D, E, and F have. This means of verifying each transaction by multiple nodes is called distributed ledgers. This means that since a version of events can be verifiable with different computers, a hacker, even though he gets into one system to tweak the transaction, would need to get into all the systems spread across various geographical locations to corrupt the recorded data. This feat is impossible, making the Bitcoin blockchain transparent and incorruptible.

Also, by storing blocks of information across various nodes on a blockchain network, the blockchain cannot be brought to ruins by the failure of one system. When a computer or system fails, the other systems act as backups and keep running regardless of the down system. Once all active nodes have received and verified a transaction as valid, the block (i.e. the transaction) is added to the chain (i.e. the general ledger) for public access. The ability of all nodes to keep functioning, even when one or two nodes drop out of the network, ensures that users are constantly getting their transactions recorded and confirmed in an uninterrupted and timely manner.

Companies in the financial sector are constantly seeking new ways to incorporate ĐApps into their work processes through the blockchain. One reason for adopting a blockchain system is to improve the transparency of the firm’s operations in order to meet the stringent requirements of financial regulators. Other reasons why a firm in the financial sector may want to integrate ĐApps includes reducing the number of intermediaries involved in a financial transaction, providing clients with access to cryptocurrencies, creating access to groups like peer-to-peer lending (P2P) groups, and largely improving verifications to be made on historical transactions.