It is anticipated that Web 3.0 is just around the corner, which could bring about a significant shift in the way organisations create and launch websites, web apps and mobile applications. This could have a considerable impact on the industry. With the rapid development of blockchain technology, it is highly likely that a decentralised version of the web (also known as Web 3.0) will soon be a reality.
It is essential to consider how your business could benefit from applications designed for a distributed system. A decentralized application (dApp) is a program that runs on a blockchain network and stores and processes data. A key element of decentralized applications is the fact that they run independently of any single server or governing body (hence, decentralized).
If you are familiar with decentralized applications (dApps) or are just becoming aware of them, what do you think about them?
How about we dissect that?
Disadvantages of Centralized Apps and Their Benefits for Distributed Systems
The benefits of using a decentralized application are broad.
Security
Decentralised applications (dApps) offer greater security compared to traditional applications, as they do not require a centralised server for authentication. This increased security can benefit both your business and the service you provide to customers, leading to an improved reputation and increased customer loyalty.
The prevalence of security breaches in recent years means that every measure a company may take to protect its customer information is warranted.
Cost-Efficient
It is worth considering that dApps are hosted on a network of decentralized servers, eliminating the need for a single central server. This could result in cost savings for your business in terms of server rental fees and continuing data centre costs.
DApps enable faster transactions, resulting in applications that are capable of handling large volumes of data and are equipped with failover measures to save time and energy.
A breeze to create
To alleviate the burden on developers of managing the intricate details of dApp back-ends, many of the protocols used by dApps have been abstracted. This is an essential requirement, given that these applications are run on a decentralised network.
There is a shorter time between creating and releasing a dApp.
Reduced Maintenance Needs
If the potential of the decentralised web is achieved, dApps could make periods of downtime a thing of the past. Businesses can be sure that their services will experience minimal disruption due to the decentralised nature of dApps, which do not rely on access to a central server. Imagine a world in which your application is never rejected. For this reason, dApps are worth further investigation.
Data Is Safe And Will Never Be Lost
Data loss is not a concern when deploying a dApp over a decentralised network. This is due to the multitude of nodes on the blockchain that have all of the dApp data in sync, meaning that even if one node becomes unavailable, service will not be interrupted.
What’s Wrong with Distributed Programs
We’ve covered the benefits of dApps, so now it’s time to look at the drawbacks.
Demanding Learning Curve
The underlying networking infrastructure required to effectively implement blockchain technology is highly sophisticated. It requires a new approach to be taken by developers, operators and administrators to ensure successful implementation. Nevertheless, the advantages of this novel infrastructure are worth the effort.
It is anticipated that the transition period may be challenging, due to the need for personnel to gain a thorough understanding of distributed networks. This could lead to a delayed commencement; however, this is to be expected due to the complexity of the subject.
A Major Change in Safety Protocols
When it comes to ensuring the security of a decentralised network, an innovative approach is required. It is essential that your application is secure, as you are not merely dealing with a single server or data centre, but rather a worldwide network. This makes it necessary to adjust the way your developers and administrators view security. Your teams must re-evaluate conventional security measures, taking into account the requirement to protect global transactions using blockchain-specific technologies.
User Experience Degradation
Due to the unique nature of dApps, users may experience a suboptimal user experience. For instance, authentication may require users to adopt a public/private key approach rather than the more familiar username/password combination. To manage customer expectations, it is important for organisations to be prepared for any associated uncertainty and potential complaints.
Moderately Reduced Velocity
Due to the decentralised nature of the network, dApps may not operate as quickly as more traditional applications. Users may need to become accustomed to a slightly slower experience, as logins and transactions may not be instantaneous. However, as the underlying blockchain technology is improved over time, this should become less of an issue.
Conclusion
When the decentralised web eventually arrives, there is no doubt that it will bring both opportunities and challenges. Companies should be prepared for these eventualities and should be positive about the many benefits this new technology will bring.
