Getting Started with Stratis Blockchain Development Quest: Running Your First Stratis Node

Getting Started with Stratis Blockchain Development Quest: Running Your First Stratis Node

by | Jun 11, 2024 | Uncategorized

Getting Started with Stratis Blockchain Development: Running Your First Stratis Node

Stratis is a powerful and flexible blockchain development platform designed to enable businesses and developers to build, test, and deploy blockchain applications with ease. If you’re looking to start developing for the Stratis blockchain, the first crucial step is to run a Stratis node. This article will guide you through the process, providing a clear and concise roadmap to get your development journey underway.

Introduction to Stratis Blockchain

Stratis offers a blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS) platform, which simplifies the development, deployment, and maintenance of blockchain solutions. Built on a foundation of the C# programming language and the .NET framework, Stratis provides an accessible environment for developers familiar with these technologies. Key features of Stratis include smart contracts, sidechains, and full node capabilities, all designed to streamline blockchain development and integration.

Why Run a Stratis Node?

Running a Stratis node is essential for several reasons:

  • Network Participation: Nodes form the backbone of the blockchain network, validating and relaying transactions.
  • Development and Testing: A local node provides a controlled environment for testing and debugging blockchain applications.
  • Decentralization: By running a node, you contribute to the decentralization and security of the Stratis network.

Prerequisites

Before setting up a Stratis node, ensure you have the following:

  • A computer with a modern operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
  • .NET Core SDK installed.
  • Sufficient disk space (at least 10 GB) for the blockchain data.
  • A stable internet connection.

Step-by-Step Guide to Running a Stratis Node

1. Install .NET Core SDK

First, install the .NET Core SDK, which is necessary to run the Stratis Full Node. You can download it from the official .NET Core website. Follow the installation instructions for your specific operating system. I recommend having all DotNetCore SDKs because the source code for most of the Stratis solutions target really an old framework version like.NET Core 2.1 so it’s better to have multiple choices of framework in case you need to re-target for compatibility

.NET Core Versions

  • .NET Core 3.1 (LTS)
  • .NET Core 3.0
  • .NET Core 2.2
  • .NET Core 2.1 (LTS)
  • .NET Core 2.0
  • .NET Core 1.1
  • .NET Core 1.0

Installation Links

Download .NET Core SDKs

2. Clone the Stratis Full Node Repository

Next, clone the Stratis Full Node repository from GitHub. Open a terminal or command prompt and run the following command:

git clone https://github.com/stratisproject/StratisFullNode.git

This command will download the latest version of the Stratis Full Node source code to your local machine.

3. Build the Stratis Full Node

Navigate to the directory where you cloned the repository:

cd StratisFullNode

Now, build the Stratis Full Node using the .NET Core SDK:

dotnet build

This command compiles the source code and prepares it for execution.

4. Run the Stratis Full Node

Once the build process is complete, you can start the Stratis Full Node. Use the following command to run the node:

cd Stratis.StraxD
dotnet run -testnet

This will initiate the Stratis node, which will start synchronizing with the Stratis blockchain network.

5. Verify Node Synchronization

After starting the node, you need to ensure it is synchronizing correctly with the network. You can check the node’s status by visiting the Stratis Full Node’s API endpoint in your web browser:

http://localhost:37221/api

here is more information about the possible ports for the API depending on which network you want to use (test or main) and which command did you use to start up the API

Swagger
To run the API in a specific port you can use the following code

StraxTest (dotnet run -testnet -apiport=38221)

http://localhost:38221/Swagger/index.html

StraxTest

http://localhost:27103/Swagger

StraxMain

http://localhost:17103/Swagger

You should see a JSON response indicating the node’s current status, including its synchronization progress.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully set up and run your first Stratis node. This node forms the foundation for your development activities on the Stratis blockchain. With your node up and running, you can now explore the various features and capabilities of the Stratis platform, including deploying smart contracts, interacting with sidechains, and building blockchain applications.

As you continue your journey, remember that the Stratis community and its comprehensive documentation are valuable resources. Engage with other developers, seek guidance, and contribute to the growing ecosystem of Stratis-based solutions. Happy coding!

 

Previous articles

Discovering the Simplicity of C# in Blockchain Development with Stratis | Joche Ojeda

 

Discovering the Simplicity of C# in Blockchain Development with Stratis

Discovering the Simplicity of C# in Blockchain Development with Stratis

by | Jun 10, 2024 | Blockchain, C#, Smart contracts, Stratis

Introduction

Blockchain technology has revolutionized various industries by providing a decentralized and secure way to manage data and transactions. At the heart of this innovation are smart contracts—self-executing contracts with the terms directly written into code. My journey into blockchain development began with the excitement of these possibilities, but it also came with challenges, particularly with the Solidity programming language. However, everything changed when I discovered the Stratis platform, which supports smart contracts using C#, making development much more accessible for me. In this article, I’ll share my experiences, challenges, and the eventual breakthrough that came with Stratis.

Challenges with Solidity

Solidity is the most popular language for writing smart contracts on Ethereum, but it has a steep learning curve. My background in programming didn’t include a lot of JavaScript-like languages, so adapting to Solidity’s syntax and concepts was daunting. The process of writing, testing, and deploying smart contracts often felt cumbersome. Debugging was a particular pain point, with cryptic error messages and a lack of mature tooling compared to more established programming environments.

The complexity and frustration of dealing with these issues made me seek an alternative that could leverage my existing programming skills. I wanted a platform that was easier to work with and more aligned with languages I was already comfortable with. This search led me to discover Stratis.

Introduction to Stratis

Stratis is a blockchain development platform designed to meet the needs of enterprises and developers by offering a simpler and more efficient way to build blockchain solutions. What caught my attention was its support for C#—a language I was already proficient in. Stratis allows developers to create smart contracts using C#, integrating seamlessly with the .NET ecosystem.

This discovery was a game-changer for me. The prospect of using a familiar language in a robust development environment like Visual Studio, combined with the powerful features of Stratis, promised a much smoother and more productive development experience.

Why Stratis Stood Out

The primary benefit of using C# over Solidity is the familiarity and maturity of the development tools. With C#, I could leverage the rich ecosystem of libraries, tools, and frameworks available in the .NET environment. This not only sped up the development process but also reduced the time spent on debugging and testing.

Stratis offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to simplify blockchain development. The Stratis Full Node, for instance, provides a fully functional blockchain node that can be easily integrated into existing applications. Additionally, Stratis offers a smart contract template for Visual Studio, making it straightforward to start building and deploying smart contracts.

Another significant advantage is the support and community around Stratis. The documentation is thorough, and the community is active, providing a wealth of resources and assistance for developers at all levels.

Conclusion

Transitioning from Solidity to Stratis was a pivotal moment in my blockchain development journey. The challenges I faced with Solidity were mitigated by the ease and familiarity of C#. Stratis provided a robust and efficient platform that significantly improved my development workflow.

In the next article, I will dive into the practical steps of setting up the Stratis development environment. We’ll cover everything you need to get started, from installing the necessary tools to configuring your first Stratis Full Node. Stay tuned for a detailed guide that will set the foundation for your journey into C# smart contract development.