How Do Decentralized Apps or dApps Work

And should you use them over traditional apps?

Decentralized apps are applications that use the Blockchain to store information and other functionalities.

To understand how dApps work, let us first look at traditional apps.

Traditional apps have a frontend and a backend. The Frontend runs on the client( the browser) and uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

The Backend, usually a node server, communicates with the database and serves data to the Frontend.

In a dApp, the Frontend communicates with the Blockchain. Usually, dApps use the Ethereum blockchain. Users log in to the app by signing a transaction with their wallets.

Information about the dApp is stored on the Ethereum blockchain with smart contracts. A smart contract is a compilation of data and logic.

Everything sounds fancy and complicated, right? So why even use the Blockchain? Why should you use dApps over a traditional app?

Benefits of dApps

In traditional apps, companies have control over your information. They can delete everything at will. In a dApp, such as dArticle.io, you have power over your data and complete transparency.

Have you ever noticed that all your favorite apps are down when AWS is down or under maintenance? With Blockchain technology, there is no single point of failure. Users can have uninterrupted use.

Censorship and free speech discussions have been making the rounds on social media. The Blockchain is the epitome of free speech. No central authority can censor your views.

Final Thoughts

It will take a long time before dApps become ubiquitous in our world. Problems such as bad UX and no functionality without a wallet are still problems. But I still believe that the good outweighs the bad, and we can improve the bad.

I am optimistic about the future of dApps and blockchain technology, and I believe that they can give the masses more control over their data.