Dev Release 100

Dear BlockDAG Community,

It’s with great excitement that we bring you our 100th developer post! This is more than just a number; it’s a testament to the incredible progress we’ve made together, one update at a time. Each post has chronicled our journey from a fledgling project to a thriving ecosystem, and we couldn’t have done it without your support and enthusiasm. As we look back on all we’ve accomplished, we’re even more excited about the future.

A Journey of Growth and Innovation
Reflecting on these 100 posts, we’ve covered a lot of ground. We’ve built and launched the BlockDAG X1 application, implemented countless features, and continually refined the platform to meet the needs of our growing community. From the initial stages of development to the introduction of major functionalities like referral systems, leaderboard enhancements, and security updates, your feedback has been our guiding light. This milestone is not just about looking back; it’s about recognizing how each step has brought us closer to realizing our vision for BlockDAG.
 

Today marks a significant day in our development cycle as we draw closer to the release of some crucial new features on the X1 application. Our team has successfully completed the development of the password management functionality. This feature is designed with robust security measures, ensuring that users can easily and securely change and reset their passwords.

Challenges and Solutions: During the development phase, we encountered several edge cases, particularly around the “Forgot Password” and “Change Password” functionalities. These cases involved scenarios where users might have outdated links or incorrect tokens, which could disrupt the process. To address this, we implemented additional validation checks and introduced a more intuitive user flow that guides users through the process seamlessly. This involved a comprehensive overhaul of our backend logic, ensuring that even in rare circumstances, the password reset process is fail-safe.

Testing and Refinements: Post-development, our QA team ran extensive tests to identify and fix any lingering bugs. This included both automated and manual testing across multiple devices and operating systems. We’re confident that the password functionality is now polished and ready for deployment.
 

User experience is at the heart of what we do, and today we’ve made significant strides in improving how notifications are handled within the X1 application. As our user base grows, so does the demand on our infrastructure, especially when sending out global notifications.

The Problem: Previously, when an admin sent out a notification to all users, the sudden spike in activity could lead to delays or even temporary lags in the application. This was particularly noticeable during peak times, affecting the overall user experience.
Our Solution: We’re integrating AWS Lambda functions to optimize this process. Here’s how it works: When the admin clicks the "send" button for a notification, a Lambda function is triggered. This function will assess the current load on our system and automatically scale our application pods to handle the increased traffic. By dynamically allocating resources in real-time, we can ensure that notifications are delivered promptly without compromising the performance of the app.
Technical Details: The Lambda function is configured to monitor specific metrics, such as CPU usage and response time, within our Kubernetes cluster. Based on predefined thresholds, it will scale up or down the number of pods, ensuring optimal load distribution. This automation not only improves user experience but also enhances the efficiency of our infrastructure management, reducing costs while maintaining high availability.

In addition to the X1 updates, we had a pivotal meeting today with our stakeholders to discuss the future direction of the BlockDAG X1 Miner application. As our ecosystem expands, so do the possibilities for new features and integrations.
Non-Custodial Wallets: One of the key topics was the potential integration of non-custodial wallets into the Miner app. This feature would allow users to send/ receive the funds with the option to view and manage their balances directly on the official BlockDAG website. The idea is to provide users with a unified dashboard where they can see all their assets, including those mined through the X1 Miner app.
Security Considerations: Security is paramount in this process. We’re currently exploring various cryptographic approaches to ensure that these wallets are secure and user-friendly. This includes evaluating multi-signature wallets, hardware wallet integration, and secure key management solutions. Our goal is to implement a system that offers top-tier security without sacrificing usability.
Next Steps: Over the coming weeks, we’ll be conducting more in-depth research and prototyping different solutions. We’ll also be engaging with the community to gather feedback and insights on what features and functionalities you’d like to see in this new wallet integration.
 

On the BlockDAG Explorer front, our team continues to make substantial progress. We’re closing in on the completion of the UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output) module, a critical component of the explorer.
UTXO Module: This module is designed to provide detailed insights into all unspent transaction outputs, which are essential for understanding the state of the blockchain. It will allow users to track specific transactions, view their status, and understand how they contribute to the overall network.
Testing Phase: Once the development of the UTXO module is finalized, we’ll move into a rigorous testing phase. This will involve stress-testing the module under various conditions to ensure it performs efficiently, even as the network scales.
Smart Contracts UI: Simultaneously, we’ve begun work on the UI for the smart contracts section of the explorer. This feature will enable users to interact with smart contracts directly through the explorer, providing a user-friendly interface for deploying, managing, and monitoring smart contracts on the BlockDAG network.
Devnet Environment: In more exciting news, our Devnet environment is set to go live for community use, likely by tomorrow. This will be a major milestone, as it allows the community to engage with the BlockDAG network’s core functionalities in a controlled, experimental setting. You’ll be able to test transactions, deploy smart contracts, and explore the network’s capabilities firsthand.
 

As we celebrate our 100th post, we’re more energized than ever to continue this journey with you. The upcoming features and improvements are just the beginning. With every update, we aim to push the boundaries of what’s possible, delivering a platform that’s not only powerful and secure but also deeply aligned with the needs of our community.
Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. Here’s to the next 100 posts and beyond!
Best regards,
The BlockDAG Team