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Application Pattern

We follow generally accepted good practices in programming, especially those that align with our project needs. Some of these practices are specific to C#, while others pertain to general Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles like SOLID and DRY.

Domain-Driven Design (DDD)​

Although it's uncommon for blockchain projects, we adhere to a Domain-Driven Design (DDD) approach in our development style. This approach is partly due to the compatibility of our main framework with DDD, making it a natural design philosophy for us.

Key Points of DDD:​

  • Four Traditional Layers:
    • Presentation: This corresponds to any type of dApp (Decentralized Application).
    • Application: Exposed services mapped to different domains.
    • Domain: Specific events related to our blockchain system and domain objects.
    • Infrastructure: Third-party libraries for database, networking, etc.

For more details, refer to our coding standards listed in our GitHub issue.

Frameworks and Libraries​

The primary programming language used for developing aelf is C#, and it's built with the dotnet core framework. This choice was made due to the excellent performance of the framework. Dotnet core is also cross-platform, supporting Windows, MacOS, and Linux. It is a dynamic and open-source framework, offering many advantages of modern development patterns and backed by major players in the IT industry.

Key Frameworks and Tools:​

  • ABP Framework:

    • We use the ABP application framework.
    • It is a natural fit for building blockchain nodes, which are sets of endpoints like RPC, P2P, and cross-chain communication, with higher-level protocols on top.

  • Testing:

    • We use the XUnit framework for unit tests.
    • Additionally, we have custom-made frameworks for testing smart contracts.

  • Communication:

    • For cross-chain and P2P network communication, we use gRPC.
    • We use Protobuf for serialization purposes.

By following these practices and utilizing these tools, we ensure that our development process is efficient, reliable, and scalable.