How To Build Your Own Blockchain Using Node.js

Want to know how to build your own blockchain using Node.js?

We will answer this great question here and share a few tips about blockchain applications or blockchain network development using Node.js.

In this article

1. What is Node.js: An introduction
2. Approaches for blockchain development with Node.js
3. Frequently Asked Questions on building blockchain Node.js solutions

What is Node.js: An introduction

Node.js is a highly popular runtime environment, and famous apps like Twitter, PayPal, and LinkedIn are using it. Developed by Ryan Dahl and first released in 2011, Node.js uses V8, Google’s open-source JavaScript engine. Node.js offers the following advantages:

• Js enables asynchronous event-driven programming, which eliminates blocking processes. This improves scalability.
• It‘s a highly performant runtime environment.
• Developers with JavaScript expertise can easily learn Node.js, and it improves their productivity.
• Data streaming is easier to implement with Node.js.
• Thousands of sharable open-source modules and tools enrich the ecosystem, which also boasts a vibrant developer community.
• Open-source NoSQL databases like MongoDB use JavaScript, therefore, a javaScript developer can easily implement these.

Read about these advantages in “10 great tools for Node.Js software development”.

Approaches for blockchain development with Node.js

As you can see from the above overview of blockchain and various platforms, there is a lot to plan for when undertaking blockchain development. These are as follows:

• Determine whether you need blockchain.
• Decide whether you need a crypto token.
• You need to choose between public and private blockchains.
• There is a need to choose the right platform to expedite your project.
• You need to select the right tools for your development.

Read more about these aspects in Planning for Blockchain Software Development.

For blockchain development using Node.js, I recommend the following approaches:

• Use Cosmos if you are developing a DApp on a public blockchain.
• Use Fabric if your development project is in an enterprise environment.

Approach #1: Blockchain development on Cosmos

You can use Cosmos to develop a public blockchain DApp that utilizes Node.js, as follows:

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Step #1: Build your development team

You need the following roles in your team:

• Business analysts;
• UI/UX designers;
• JavaScript developers;
• Rust developers;
• Testers;
• A project manager (PM).

Step #2: Buy Cosmos tokens

You need to buy Cosmos tokens (ATOM) to develop an app on the Cosmos platform. This involves the following steps:

• You need to download a wallet that supports Cosmos, e.g. Keplr wallet. This offers secure storage for your ATOM tokens. It also allows you to interact with the Cosmos blockchain.
• Follow the wallet setup guide to create your Cosmos account and store your ATOM tokens.
• Buy ATOM from a crypto exchange. Binance and MEXC are just two examples of exchanges that sell ATOM.

Step #3: Set up the Cosmos SDK

Cosmos SDK provides the infrastructure for Cosmos-based dApps. You need to set up your work environment. Read this tutorial on their developer portal for more information.

Step #4: Set up Cosmos CLI (Command Line Interface)

Cosmos has a CLI tool that interacts with the Cosmos SDK APIs.

Take the following steps:

• Set it up using the instructions.
• Check out their user guide. It covers the configuration, the list of commands, and the general usage of Cosmos CLI.

Use Cosmos CLI to manage the blockchain, query data, and send transactions. 

Step #5: Set up CosmJS

To interact with the Cosmos blockchain from a Node.js backend, you will need CosmJS, which provides a JavaScript library for working with Cosmos-based blockchains.

Read their extensive guide for better understanding of how you can use CosmJS.

Step #6: Develop, test, and deploy your app

You can create your app now that you have installed the required Cosmos SDK components. This involves the following steps:

• Build the custom logic for your dApp using the Cosmos SDK and CosmJS. You can define your own modules within the Cosmos SDK to handle specific features of your dApp (such as token transfers, staking, etc.).
• You’ll likely need to use Go for developing custom modules for your blockchain and Rust (if you plan to use CosmWasm, a smart contract platform built for the Cosmos ecosystem).
• Use Cosmos CLI and CosmJS to test your transactions and the custom modules. Set up test networks (like Cosmos Testnet) to simulate production environments.
• Deploy Your dApp.

Be sure to consult the official documentation of the Cosmos SDK and CosmJS for deeper insights into each step.

Approach #2: Blockchain development using Node.js on Fabric

I will now explain blockchain development using Node.js on Hyperledger Fabric. This approach involves the following steps:

Step #1: Form a development team

Like the earlier approach, your team needs BAs, UI designers, testers, Node.js developers, and a PM. Additionally, you need Fabric developers.

Step #2: Choose a “Blockchain as a Service” (BaaS) platform

As I had mentioned earlier, a key advantage of Fabric is that several technology giants offer it as part of their BaaS platforms. I recommend you use “IBM Blockchain Platform”. Following are a few relevant facts about this BaaS platform:

• It expedites the development since IBM handles the blockchain infrastructure-related complexities.
• You can get all features of Fabric, e.g., the pluggable architecture, “channels” for confidential transactions, SDKs, improved security, etc.
• The platform offers sample codes and tools.
• Governance tools will help you manage the network rules, scale, and set up membership.
• This platform uses Kubernetes, the renowned open-source orchestration system for deployment, scaling, and application management. This makes deployment easier.

Sign-up for “IBM Blockchain Platform” here.

Step #3: Familiarize yourself with the Fabric Node.js SDK

Fabric offers a Node.js SDK for blockchain app development. The important facts about this SDK are as follows:

• You can access this comprehensive documentation to set up this SDK.
• The SDK works with a Node.js runtime, and it provides robust APIs to communicate with the Fabric blockchain network.
• There is robust documentation to help you with network configuration using this SDK. You can access it here.
• Developers can use the SDK to submit transactions to Fabric chaincodes, i.e., smart contracts in Fabric parlance.
• The SDK offers querying features for smart contracts. Various queries are possible, e.g., block-by-number, block-by-hash, transaction-by-id, etc.
• The client component of the SDK enabled the creation of new channels for confidential transactions.
• A “Peer” is a kind of node on Fabric with a specific role in the consensus algorithm. Developers can use the Node.js SDK to send channel information to peers so that they can join the channel.
• The SDK helps with installing chaincodes on peers and instantiating them.
• Monitoring various events like block events and transaction events is possible with this SDK.
• The SDK enables easy registration of new users and revoking of existing users.

This is not an exhaustive list of the features. Read more about the Fabric Node.js SDK here.

Step #4: Use the Fabric Node.js SDK on “IBM Blockchain Platform”

Using the Fabric Node.js SDK on the “IBM Blockchain Platform” involves the following:

• Choose the right “IBM Blockchain Platform” offering according to yo ur requirements. There are various options, e.g., enterprise plan, “IBM Blockchain Platform” for AWS, etc. Read about them in “Getting started with IBM Blockchain Platform”.
• Deploy “IBM Blockchain Platform” in accordance with the offering you chose.
• Install cURL for downloading Fabric sample code by following the instructions here.
• Install Node.js runtime and NPM. You can use these instructions.
• Install Fabric samples using these instructions.
• Use the network monitor to install the chaincodes from the samples most suited to your requirements.
• Code your app using the Fabric Node.js SDK.
• Add network API endpoints to your app.
• Prove the authenticity of your app by enrolling it.
• Register your app using the client-side certificates you generated during the enrolment.

You can now execute various functions by invoking and querying chaincodes. This completed blockchain development using Node.js on Fabric.

Exploring Node.js for an important blockchain development project?

Blockchain technology is new, and blockchain development can be tricky. Node.js is a relatively new option for blockchain development, which is why it’s essential to hire experienced Node.js developers who will be able to build a reliable product.

You need to choose the right platform carefully. Moreover, need to hire a capable team with several niche skills. You might need to engage a professional development partner for projects like this. Check out our guide “How to find the best software development company?” before you select a partner.

If you are still unsure, contact DevTeam.Space via this form describing your initial requirements for a blockchain project. One of our technical managers will get back to you to link you with experienced Node.js and blockchain developers.

DevTeam.Space is an innovative American software development company with over 99% project success rate. DevTeam.Space builds reliable and scalable custom software applications, mobile apps, websites, Blockchain apps and software projects, live-streaming software applications, speech recognition systems, ChatGPT and AI-powered solutions, and IoT solutions and conducts complex software integrations for various industries, including finance, hospitality, healthcare, music, entertainment, gaming, e-commerce, banking, construction, and education software solutions on time and budget.

DevTeam.Space supports its clients with business analysts and dedicated tech account managers who monitor tech innovations and new developments and help our clients design, architect, and develop applications that will be relevant and easily upgradeable in the years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions on building blockchain Node.js solutions