A Complete Guide to Blockchain Development in 2024

Blockchain is a revolutionary technology that has rapidly gained prominence in recent years due to its potential to empower various industries, including healthcare, supply chain management, finance, and more. 

“Blockchain is a distributed ledger that records new transactions in blocks; each block is further identified by a cryptographic hash of data. Altering the data from this hash is nearly impossible with Blockchain.” 

It is no surprise why the Economist called the Blockchain “The Trust Machine” in 2015.  Leading firms such as Walmart, L’Oréal, Nike, Tesla, PepsiCo, and many more, are already investing in Blockchain development for tangible benefits. 

However, developing a Blockchain from scratch could be tricky and challenging, especially for newbies. Therefore, we bring you this blog post to provide you with an overview of the steps involved in a basic Blockchain development solutions process. This latest 2024 Blockchain development guide also covers information, such as Blockchain use cases, benefits, features, and more, for a better technology understanding.

Key Features of Blockchain

The following are the key elements of Blockchain that attract several businesses around the world to invest in this technology.

• Distributed Ledger Technology

All participants in the network have access to this distributed ledger and transactions recorded on it. This shared ledger allows the transactions to be recorded for once which eliminates the chances of duplication of efforts.  

• Smart Contracts

Smart contracts is a program stored on Blockchain that automates events or actions when predefined conditions of contracts are met. Businesses use smart contracts in order to expedite their transactions and overall operations. 

• Immutable Records

Transactions recorded on Blockchain are immutable. It means no participants can alter the data or transactions once it has been recorded to the distributed ledger. In case the transaction includes an error, the user needs to add a new transaction in order to reverse the error, making both transactions visible. 

Explore the Types of Blockchain Networks

There are four types of Blockchain networks; Public, private, permissioned, and consortium Blockchain. 

• Public Blockchains

Public Blockchain is permissionless or non-restrictive as it allows anyone to join and participate in the network (e.g.; Bitcoin). However, drawbacks such as little or no privacy for transactions and fragile security lead many to rethink their decision. 

• Private Blockchains

Private Blockchains also known as managed Blockchains, are similar to a public Blockchain network except that it is administered by a single entity.  The central authority in private Blockchain controls who is allowed to participate, execute a consensus protocol, and maintain the distributed ledger. 

• Permissioned Blockchains 

A permissioned Blockchain is generally set up by businesses that create private Blockchain. Even public Blockchain networks can also be permissed. It restricts who is allowed to participate in the network and what transactions they can perform. In order to participate in the network, participants require an invitation or authorization. 

• Consortium Blockchains

Unlike private Blockchains, consortium Blockchains are permissioned Blockchains that are administered by multiple organizations instead of a single institution. As a result, consortium Blockchains are more decentralized as compared to private Blockchains which further enhances the security. 

Benefits of Blockchain Development 

Blockchain development solutions offer numerous advantages, fostering trust among businesses in various sectors. 

• Security

Blockchain uses cryptographic techniques to safeguard the data from tampering and unauthorized access. Blockchain development makes it difficult for unauthorized or malicious parties to affect the transactions. 

• Transparency

Another fundamental benefit of Blockchain development is transparency. Each transaction conducted on Blockchain is transparent and is visible to all participants in the Blockchain network. Such transparency fosters trust among users, reduces the chances of fraudulent activities, and ensures accountability. 

• Traceability

Blockchain development provides the ease of tracking assets and products throughout the supply chain. This traceability enables consumers to access information about the origin and journey of products. 

• Immutability

Data recorded on Blockchain is immutable. It is nearly impossible to alter or delete the data and transactions on this shared ledger. This feature is ideal for applications seeking a tamper-proof ledger for the integrity of records 

• Decentralization

Blockchain operates on a decentralized network of nodes. There is no control of central authority. This decentralization reduces the risk of manipulation and helps build a trustless environment, where transactions are validated by consensus. 

• Reduced Costs

Smart contracts execute and automate the processes when predefined conditions are met, further reducing the need for intermediaries, streamlining the operations, and speeding up the transactions. 

• Data Privacy

Blockchain provides users a more control over the data. It allows users to decide what information to share with whom. Traditional digital platforms lack such a level of data privacy and ownership. Private and permissioned Blockchains offer greater privacy. 

Step-by-Step Process of Blockchain Development 

As we look ahead to 2024, Blockchain development processes comprise crucial steps that need to be followed step by step for favorable outcomes. 

Step 1 : Define the problem the Blockchain app can resolve

The foremost step of the Blockchain development process is to identify a real-world problem a Blockchain application can resolve. Collaborate with stakeholders, developers, designers, consultants, and business analysts to determine the root cause of the problem and how the Blockchain-based application can fix it. 

Step 2 : Choose the best consensus mechanism

The next step is choosing the best-fitting consensus mechanism as each has its own strength and features. Factors such as the level of decentralization required, key performance indicators, and business requirements help find the best-suited consensus mechanisms from the vast options available online, including Proof-of-Work, Proof of Stake, Federated Byzantine Agreement, Byzantine fault-tolerant, Proof of Elapsed Time, Robin Round, Simplified Byzantine Fault Tolerance, Redundant Byzantine Fault Tolerance, Federated Consensus, and more. 

Step 3 : Develop a strategy for the Blockchain development process

In this step, the Blockchain development strategy is created. Blockchain developers, designers, consultants, and researchers come together and decide how to incorporate Blockchain into the current processes. It involves detailed project planning and several important technical decisions, required for successful Blockchain development solutions. 

Step 4 : Choose a programming language 

Choosing the right programming language is crucial as it influences how users interact with the Blockchain. Interoperability is one of the concerns when choosing a language.  Some of the popular programming languages used for the Blockchain development process, include HTML/CSS, Javascript, PHP, C#, Python, Solidity, Ruby, Golang, Java, and NodeJS. After selecting the programming language, pick a database. MongoDB and MySQL are two popular databases among developers. 

Step 5 : Select a Blockchain development platform

The next step of the Blockchain development solutions process is identifying which Blockchain to build on. Blockchain development platforms, such as IBM Blockchain, Ripple (with Codius), Hyperledger, Hyperledger Fabric, Ethereum (with Solidity), NEO, Hydrachain, Multichain, and Counterparty are designed to expedite the development process, eliminating the need to build a Blockchain from scratch. These platforms make Blockchain development smoother and easier. Navigate the platform’s capabilities and drawbacks as it helps determine whether the platform you are choosing fits your project needs. 

Step 6 : Design the Blockchain architecture

Determining the type of Blockchain is vital. Check if it comprises specific permissions for users or if it includes the permissionless network. Identify whether the application requires Public, Private, or Hybrid Blockchain network architecture. Choose the ideal architecture type that best fits the use case. 

Step 7 : Develop the blockchain application

Address the key aspects of the Blockchain application, such as permissions, block signatures, address formats, and key management as these elements can’t be altered once implemented. 

Afterward, focus on the Blockchain application’s Application Programming Interface (API). APIs play a vital role in Blockchain development as it is used to perform several tasks such as auditing functions, generation of key pairs, and storing essential data. APIs are selected depending on the goal of the application. Developers can use pre-built APIs to speed up the development process or choose to create a new API from scratch to achieve greater flexibility. 

Another important concept of Blockchain application development involves the setup of middleware. It is software that connects external systems to the Blockchain. It is responsible for building communication between Blockchain components and the app functioning on it.

Step 8 : Test and Launch the Application

After following the previous steps, an early version of the project is now all set to test. This Blockchain development solutions process stage focuses on the core functions.  Developers perform several testing techniques to spot potential issues. After the testing phase, the application is ready for a market launch and offers some tangible benefits. 

Popular Blockchain Use Cases in 2024

Several industry leaders are leveraging Blockchain development solutions to remove friction and unlock new possibilities. Explore some top Blockchain uses in the coming year, 2024 below-

• Retail

Gartner claims 60% of olive oil is counterfeit. Not only this, the IBM survey also reveals that 73% of consumers surveyed want the product traceability they buy. Blockchain development in retail enables companies to build a secure tracking system that provides visibility throughout the retail supply chain. 

• Oil and Gas

Blockchain development offers compelling approaches to service contracts, price discovery, and the whole transaction life cycle that bring maximum efficiency and reduce cost. Companies like BHP Billiton and Petrotq have implemented Blockchain that enables easy tracking, monitoring, and controlling of diverse resources and helps achieve operational efficiency. 

• Telecommunications

The telecom sector is known for its complex processes and massive data flows. Blockchain development has emerged as the best approach that can simplify industry processing.  Several organizations such as Telefonica, Deutsche Telecom, AT&T, and Airtel are actively using Blockchain for enhanced efficiency across their system. 

• Manufacturing

The decentralized and immutable ledger of Blockchain increases transparency, traceability, and security within the manufacturing industries. Blockchain development helps in provenance tracking, and asset management, reduces counterfeiting, and maintains product quality.  

• Travel and Transportation

Blockchain development also offers tangible benefits to the travel and transportation industry. The technology offers a tamper-proof ledger for ticket booking that reduces fraud and fosters trust among travelers. On the other side, Blockchain development solutions in transportation help streamline logistics operations and create a more seamless experience for transportation providers. 

Consider Blockchain Development with Antier

Blockchain is undeniably one of the most promising technologies that have the potential to revolutionize several industries, whether it is manufacturing or retail, travel, or the oil and gas industry. Several companies are planning to leverage the decentralized and immutable nature of Blockchain to achieve a significant level of transparency, security, and efficiency in 2024 and more years to come.  If you also want to empower your business with a Blockchain-based solution, hire Antier- a leading Blockchain development company.  With an unwavering commitment to innovation, Antier builds a Blockchain application following the step-by-step development process and focusing on business requirements. Our support will help you stay ahead of the curve in 2024. Schedule a consultation call to get started with our services.