A decentralized application (DApp,[1] dApp,[2] Dapp, or dapp) is a computer application that runs on a decentralized computing system.
DApps have been popularized by distributed ledger technologies (DLT) such as the Ethereum blockchain,[3] through the use of smart contracts.
Characteristics
DApps have their backend code running on a decentralized peer-to-peer network, as opposed to typical applications where the backend code is running on centralized servers. A DApp can have frontend code and user interfaces written in any language that can make calls to its backend.
Decentralized applications are stored on and executed by a blockchain system such as Ethereum or Bitcoin. DApps are typically open-source. Validation of a DApp is incentivized via tokens to, in compliance with a specific protocol agreed upon within the community.[citation needed]
DApps have been utilized in decentralized finance (DeFi), in which dapps that perform financial functions on blockchains.[4]
DApp Browsers
All the DApps have a unique code that may only work on a specific platform. Not all DApps work on standard web browsers. Some of them only work on special websites with a customized code, adjusted to open certain DApps.
Accessibility
There have been criticisms of DApps surrounding their inaccessibility to the average user.[full citation needed]
Many DApps struggle to attract users, particularly in their founding stages, and even those that attract widespread initial popularity struggle to retain it.[full citation needed]
A notable example was the DApp CryptoKitties, which crashed the Ethereum network at the height of its popularity.[5] CryptoKitties and another similar gaming-based DApp, Dice Games, have failed to attract similar traction since.[6][needs update]
Examples
- Augur[7] - prediction market platform
- Cryptokitties - game based on the Ethereum.[8] It slowed Ethereum down due to insufficient transaction processing and exposed the scaling limitations of public blockchains.[9]
- Blockstack - a platform for developing decentralized applications.[10]
- Freelance - platform on smart contract.
- Steem - blogging and social media[8]
- Uniswap - a decentralized cryptocurrency exchange
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