Smart contracts have emerged as one of the most noticeable driving forces in the crypto landscape. They have facilitated the introduction of a completely new breed of decentralized applications with autonomous operating models. Now, the most common platform for creating and deploying smart contracts is Ethereum. Many of you seeking the top entries in Ethereum smart contract best practices must know about Ethereum smart contracts.
You can think of it as basically another account type that you can run like any other program with an autonomous codebase and data repository. Ethereum smart contracts stay on a specific address on the overall Ethereum blockchain. What are the best practices for configuring and using Ethereum smart contracts? The following post will offer you a detailed answer with the outline of best practices for using Ethereum smart contracts.
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What are Ethereum Smart Contracts?
The Ethereum smart contracts are not different from regular smart contracts. In this case, the smart contracts work as a form of Ethereum account, where they can hold the balance and transfer transactions across the network. On top of it, the best practices for Ethereum smart contracts also focus on the highlight that they must be deployed to a network rather than staying under a user’s control.
Ethereum smart contracts work according to the specified programming, while users can submit transactions by using the desired smart contract functionalities. Smart contracts can help in defining rules as well as enforcing them. In addition, you must also note the fact that all the interactions with a smart contract are immutable. However, the complexity of blockchain ecosystems like Ethereum goes through frequent changes with the introduction of best practices.
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Common Best Practices for Using Ethereum Smart Contracts
The first answer to “what are some best practices for Ethereum smart contracts” would obviously point at the general practices. You would need the best practices to ensure the safety of the smart contract from different vulnerabilities and bugs. In addition, the general practices for Ethereum smart contracts also depend considerably on the mindset of smart contract developers. On top of it, the methods for building the smart contract also play a crucial role in determining the common best practices for Ethereum-based smart contracts. Here is an outline of the common Ethereum smart contract best practices you must watch out for in the crypto space.
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Prepare for Failure
No matter how odd this may seem, you must always prepare for failure with smart contracts. You must prepare to take on the issues with smart contracts and respond accordingly. For example, you can pause the contract in event of unwarranted scenarios or develop a reliable upgrade strategy for resolving issues and facilitating improvements.
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Cautious Rollouts
The next entry among best practices for Ethereum smart contracts refers to the need for caution with rollouts. As a matter of fact, you have better chances of detecting and resolving any bugs prior to the production phase. You can ensure cautious rollouts through in-depth testing of contracts or rolling out smart contracts in subsequent phases.
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Simplicity of Contracts
The list of security best practices in the case of Ethereum smart contracts would also draw attention to the need for simplicity. You must maintain simple Ethereum smart contracts with expectations for many prominent errors. Developers can try maintaining simple, smart contracts by creating a simple contract logic. At the same time, developers can try other options, such as converting code into different modules. You can also try reusable code or tooling alongside emphasizing transparency over performance.
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Monitor Latest Developments
The outline of Ethereum smart contract best practices also points to the necessity for monitoring the latest developments in Ethereum. Developers must stay updated with the latest changes and developments in the security or general infrastructure of Ethereum smart contracts. For example, developers must check the smart contracts frequently to identify new errors and bugs. Most important of all, developers must also prepare to use new and innovative security techniques in their smart contracts.
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Special Focus on Blockchain Traits
Developers working on Ethereum smart contract development must also take note of certain crucial blockchain traits. For example, the best practices for Ethereum smart contracts imply caution for external calls. In addition, developers must also notice the gas costs and block gas limitations with the smart contract. Furthermore, developers must also consider the fact that timestamps for a blockchain can be inaccurate.
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Basic Trade-offs
When someone asks you, “what are some best practices for Ethereum smart contracts” you must draw their attention to the basic trade-offs. If you want security, then you must compromise a bit on the structure and vice versa. For example, are you prepared for reuse and duplication in contracts? Similarly, you need to define the choice between monolithic and module-based contracts or flexible and rigid contracts. The trade-offs depend on your requirements, and you must always look for simplicity to have better assurance of security.
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Security Practices for Solidity Smart Contracts
The discussion around smart contract best practices would also draw the focus towards Solidity best practices for Ethereum smart contracts developers must follow. Solidity is the most popular object-oriented programming language, tailored for writing smart contracts. Generally, Solidity-based smart contracts have been tailored for working on the Ethereum Virtual Machine or EVM. Here are some of the best practices for ensuring the security of smart contracts on Ethereum programmed in Solidity.
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Implement Invariants
Solidity triggers an asset safeguard in event of the failure of an assertation. Developers can use the assert() function to ensure a fixed ratio for issuing tokens with respect to Ether in a token issuance contract.
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Convenience Functions
You should also look for best practices for Ethereum smart contracts with Solidity in the safe use of convenience functions. For example, assert() helps in verifying variants and testing internal errors. On the other hand, require() can validate the return values of different calls while ensuring the validity of conditions.
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Round the Integer Divisions
One of the common best practices in programming Ethereum smart contracts with Solidity refers to rounding the integer divisions. You must round down the integer divisions to the nearest integer.
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Proper Use of Modifiers
The outline of Ethereum smart contract best practices in Solidity also emphasizes on careful use of modifiers. Generally, the code in the modifier takes the first precedence over the function body in execution. As a result, modifiers can disrupt the interaction pattern of the smart contract in event of any state changes or external calls. Therefore, developers must use modifiers only for replacing the duplication condition checks across different functions.
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Abstract Contract and Interfaces Trade-offs
Interfaces offer a flexible approach for contract design prior to implementation, albeit with setbacks. For example, interfaces have limited storage access and restrictions on inheritance from different interfaces. In addition, interfaces cannot support the implementation of any functions, thereby making abstract contracts a practical choice.
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Easy Callback Functions
You should also focus on Solidity best practices for Ethereum smart contracts, like the simplicity of callback functions.
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Data Length in a Fallback Function
Developers must also emphasize on data length associated with the fallback functions. When you want to use a fallback function only for documentation of Ether receipts, you must verify the data is empty.
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Explicit Marking
The next striking addition among answers to “what are some best practices for Ethereum smart contracts” would refer to explicit marking. For example, developers must use a payable modifier for all functions receiving Ether. In addition, developers must also label functions to ensure better visibility for state variables and private functions.
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Safeguarding the Pragmas
The Pragmas basically refers to the compiler variant intended by the original authors of the contract. Best practices for Ethereum smart contracts suggest the deployment of contracts with relevant compiler versions and flags. Safeguarding the Pragmas helps you verify that you don’t deploy the contracts with different compilers.
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Monitoring Contract Activity
You can look for answers in Solidity best practices for Ethereum smart contracts with a dedicated focus on monitoring contract activity. Developers must also look after the contract’s transaction after deploying it. For example, events can offer a productive tool for documenting everything that transpires in a smart contract.
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Shadowing “Built-ins”
The innovative entry among Ethereum smart contract best practices focuses on shadowing “built-ins” in the smart contract. You can use shadowing as an effective tool for overriding the functionalities of the contract.
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Stay Away from tx.origin
The most notable entry among best practices for Ethereum-based smart contracts would refer to avoiding tx.origin. Avoid tx.origin as a choice for authorization because it can restrict the interoperability.
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Bottom Line
The final highlight regarding the best practices for Ethereum smart contracts suggests that security is one of the first priorities. Smart contracts are tailored for the autonomous execution of agreements according to desired conditions at the desired time. However, the continuously changing technology trends and the evolving requirements of smart contracts have been responsible for introducing new norms in smart contract development.
At the same time, you can also notice large-scale improvements in the Ethereum ecosystem. The best practices for creating and securing Ethereum smart contracts can also focus on token implementation and documentation procedures. Keep exploring to learn more about smart contracts and their role in the growing popularity of decentralized technologies.
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