Dev Release 101

Hey BlockDAG Community Members!

We’re thrilled to announce our 101st release! The past 100 days have been a rollercoaster of challenges and achievements, but through it all, we’ve remained steadfast in our commitment to delivering a smooth and seamless user experience. Your feedback and support have been invaluable, guiding us through this journey, and we couldn’t be prouder of the progress we’ve made together.
Major Release on the Horizon
As we stand on the brink of our next major release, just a day or two away, we’re excited to share some of the key updates and improvements that will be coming your way. This release is packed with enhancements, particularly in the area of deep linking, which will significantly improve the user experience, especially within the referral module.

Our team has been working diligently on refining the deep linking functionality. One of the key challenges we faced was integrating a new, smaller domain configuration with our main BlockDAG website. Initially, there were hurdles related to the accessibility of JSON files on the site, but after persistent efforts, the issue has been resolved, and we’re ready to roll out these enhancements.

Here’s how deep linking will work in the referral module:
Referral Link Generation:

• When a user shares their referral link, it will now include a deep link that directs new users to download the BlockDAG X1 app directly from their device’s app store.
• Upon installation, the app will automatically recognize the referral code and apply it during registration, ensuring that both the referrer and the referred user receive their rewards without any manual input.
  
  Existing User Scenario:
• If the referral link is clicked by an existing user, the app will open directly to the referral page. This page will display the user’s current referral status and rewards, providing a seamless experience without the need for unnecessary navigation.
  
  Web-to-App Flow:
• Users who click the referral link on a web browser will be redirected to a landing page on the BlockDAG website.
• If the app is already installed on their device, the deep link will automatically launch the app and take them to the appropriate page.
• If the app is not installed, they will be guided to the appropriate app store (App Store, Huawei store and Amazon store.) to download it.

These deep linking features are designed to streamline the referral process, making it easier and more intuitive for users to join the BlockDAG network and start earning rewards.

During our rigorous testing, we discovered an issue with the "Forgot Password" functionality. Currently, users can initiate the password reset process from two places: one while logging into the application and another within the change password section. To maintain consistency across the app, we decided to introduce a new screen that unifies these experiences.
 

• New Screen Addition:
• We’ve designed a new screen specifically for the password reset process, ensuring that the flow is consistent and user-friendly across the app.
• The Figma design for this screen has already been completed and shared with our development team, who have promptly started working on the implementation.

After the development is completed, the build will undergo testing on our local server. Once we’re confident in its stability and functionality, it will be shared with our external stakeholders for additional feedback before the official release.

Switching gears to the BlockDAG Explorer, our team recently conducted extensive load testing to identify potential performance bottlenecks. These tests are crucial as they help us pinpoint areas where improvements are needed to ensure the Explorer is both fast and reliable, even under heavy load.
Here are some of the key areas where performance issues were identified:

Data Fetching Latency:

• During peak loads, we noticed delays in fetching UTXO transaction data, which led to slower page load times. This issue primarily stemmed from the large volume of data that needs to be processed and displayed.
  
  API Response Time:
• Some API endpoints, particularly those related to block details, were slower than expected under heavy traffic. This was identified as a potential bottleneck that could affect the overall user experience, especially during high-traffic periods.
  
  Database Query Optimization:
• The Explorer’s backend showed signs of stress when handling a large number of concurrent database queries. This could potentially impact the user experience by causing delays in data retrieval and display.

Our QA team is working closely with the development team to address these issues. We’re optimizing database queries, improving cache management, and enhancing the overall architecture to better handle large volumes of data. These improvements will ensure that the BlockDAG Explorer remains fast and responsive, even as our user base grows.


UTXO Dashboard: Data Representation Challenges
In our ongoing development of the BlockDAG Explorer, one of the most intricate challenges we've encountered involves the representation of data on the UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output) dashboard. Unlike the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) model, where transactions typically involve a single input and output, the UTXO model can have multiple inputs and outputs within a single transaction. This is because UTXO-based systems, like Bitcoin and BlockDAG, operate by consuming existing outputs as inputs to create new outputs, allowing for more complex transaction structures.
Why UTXO Can Have Multiple Inputs and Outputs:
Input Consolidation: In a UTXO model, a user might have several smaller unspent outputs (like "coins") from previous transactions. To send a larger amount, these smaller outputs are combined as multiple inputs in a single transaction.
Change Outputs: When the total value of the inputs exceeds the amount to be sent, a "change" output is created to return the difference back to the sender. This adds another output to the transaction.

Batch Transactions: UTXO models allow multiple recipients in a single transaction, creating multiple outputs. This is often used to reduce transaction fees and improve efficiency.

Challenges in Data Representation:
Given these complexities, our goal is to design a user interface that makes these multiple inputs and outputs intuitive to understand. Users are accustomed to the more straightforward transaction views of EVM-based systems, where typically only one input and one output are displayed. Translating the more complex UTXO data into a similar, user-friendly format has required us to innovate in how we present and visualize this information on the dashboard.
To address this, we are working on creating a visual and data structure that captures the complexity of UTXO transactions while keeping the interface clean and easy to navigate. This involves summarizing key data points, visually differentiating between inputs and outputs, and ensuring that users can easily grasp the flow of value within a transaction.
Once these challenges are resolved, users will be able to view and interact with UTXO data in a way that is both informative and easy to understand, paving the way for a more powerful and user-friendly BlockDAG Explorer.
We’re targeting to begin testing this module on Devnet by the end of the week.

Finally, we’re excited to announce that the domain binding for the Devnet Explorer is complete. This means that the Devnet Explorer will soon be publicly accessible, providing users with a preview of the features and enhancements we’ve been working on.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to refine and expand the BlockDAG ecosystem. We’re excited about the future and look forward to delivering even more features and optimizations in the days to come!
Thank you for being a part of our journey. Your support and feedback are invaluable to us, and we’re committed to making BlockDAG the best it can be.
Stay connected, The BlockDAG Team