| CODE | DLT5141 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to DLT Architecture and Decentralised Applications | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for Distributed Ledger Technologies | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | In this study-unit students will be exposed to issues of distributed ledger technologies (DLT) architecture supporting smart contracts and decentralised applications (dApps) operating on top of smart contracts in a manner that is digestible for non-programmers. The following main topics will be covered in the study-unit: - An introduction to DLT architecture supporting smart contracts including how they are implemented, the 'one world computer', and virtual machines; - Blockchain and DLT specific features; - DLT internal data structures; - DLT consensus algorithms (including proof of work, proof of stake and others); - Decentralised application (dApp) development including HTML and JavaScript; - Oracles; - DeFi dApps; - Practical hands-on development of dApps. Study-Unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to provide non-programming oriented students with a more detailed understanding of distributed ledger technologies and decentralised applications (dApp). The study-unit aims to enable students to define, design and implement the various components that make up a dApp and to compare various approaches towards underlying DLT architecture. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe how each component in a DLT works and an abstract level to achieve a distributed ledger; - Describe each component of a decentralised application and discuss regarding their varying levels of de/centralisation and trade-offs; - Given a use case, students will be able to report and justify design decisions for an appropriate decentralised application solution. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: Set up a DLT platform on which they can test smart contracts; - Identify scenarios whereby different approaches to implementing a DLT are best suited. - Identify scenarios where the different types of techniques are best suited; - Design decentralised application solutions appropriate for a particular problem; - Integrate an oracle with a decentralised application. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Song, J. (2019). Programming Bitcoin: Learn how to Program Bitcoin from Scratch: O/Reilly. - Antonopoulos A. M., & Wood, G. (2018). Mastering Ethereum: Building Smart Contracts and DApps: O'Reilly. Supplementary Readings: W3 Schools HTML and JavaScript tutorials and references: https://www.w3schools.com/ |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study & Tutorial | ||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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