Introduction to RPCs and their role in blockchain development

Blockchain technology has revolutionized the way transactions and data are stored and processed. One of the essential components of blockchain technology is the Remote Procedure Call (RPC). In this blog we will discuss the basics of RPC, how it works and its role in the development of blockchain.

What is RPC?

Remote Procedure Call is a protocol that enables a program to request a service from another program on a remote network.

It is a form of inter-process communication (IPC) that allows a program to execute a procedure on another system without requiring knowledge of the underlying network details.

RPC abstracts the communication process and makes it easier to develop distributed applications.

History

RPC was first introduced in the 1980s by the Open Software Foundation (OSF) as part of their Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) project. DCE was an industry standard for distributed computing, and RPC played a crucial role in the development of DCE. Since then, it has become a widely used protocol for distributed computing in various industries.

How it works

The RPC protocol works by defining a client-server model, where the client sends a request to the server to perform a procedure, and the server responds with the result. The client and server can be located on different machines connected via a network.

The client sends a message containing the name of the procedure to the server, along with any required parameters. The server receives the message and performs the requested procedure. The result is then sent back to the client in the form of a message.

It uses a transport protocol to send and receive messages between the client and the server. The most commonly used transport protocols are TCP/IP and HTTP.

How RPC is used in blockchain development

Remote Procedure Call is an important component of blockchain technology as it enables communication between the client and the blockchain network. It provides a standardized method for developers to interact with the blockchain network, allowing them to send and receive data from the network.

In blockchain development, RPCs are used to communicate with nodes on the network. Nodes are computers that run the blockchain software and maintain a copy of the blockchain database.

RPC allows developers to query the node for information about the blockchain, such as the current block height, transaction details, and balances.

How do RPCs and MetaMask work together in blockchain development?

Both provide a secure and convenient way for developers to interact with the Ethereum network and for users to interact with smart contracts and their dApps without the need for a centralized authority. This enables developers to create decentralized applications with improved security and ease of use.

Here’s how they work together:

RPC endpoint configuration

Developers typically set up an RPC endpoint on a node connected to the Ethereum network. This endpoint can be customized to meet specific requirements, such as using a different network or pointing to a private network.

Integration with MetaMask

Developers can integrate their applications with MetaMask, which is a browser extension that allows users to interact with Ethereum-based dApps. This integration allows users to interact with the developer’s application directly from the browser without the need for a centralized authority.

Transaction Signing

When a user wants to interact with a smart contract or perform a transaction, the request is sent to the developer’s application through MetaMask. The developer’s application then sends the transaction request to the Ethereum node via the configured RPC endpoint.

Confirmation and transaction broadcasts

When the Ethereum node receives the transaction request, it verifies and sends it to the Ethereum network. The user then receives a confirmation message through MetaMask that the transaction has been completed on the Ethereum network.

Advantages of using RPC in blockchain development

First, it provides a standardized method for developers to interact with the blockchain network, making it easier to develop decentralized applications (dApps).

Second, it provides a secure way to communicate with the blockchain network as it uses encrypted communication channels. This ensures that sensitive data transferred between the client and the blockchain network is kept confidential.

Third, it enables developers to automate certain tasks on the blockchain network, such as sending transactions periodically. This is useful for developers who want to build applications that require automated transactions.

List of sites that have a rich RPC network list

Here are some sites that provide a rich list of web3 RPC networks for blockchain development: