This project is an example of using a client and server to facilitate transfers between different addresses. Since there is just a single server on the back-end handling transfers, this is clearly very centralized. We won't worry about distributed consensus for this project.
However, something that we would like to incoporate is Public Key Cryptography. By using Elliptic Curve Digital Signatures we can make it so the server only allows transfers that have been signed for by the person who owns the associated address.
For an overview of this project as well as getting started instructions, check out the following video:
https://www.loom.com/share/0d3c74890b8e44a5918c4cacb3f646c4
The client folder contains a react app using vite. To get started, follow these steps:
- Open up a terminal in the
/clientfolder - Run
npm installto install all the depedencies - Run
npm run devto start the application - Now you should be able to visit the app at http://127.0.0.1:5173/
The server folder contains a node.js server using express. To run the server, follow these steps:
- Open a terminal within the
/serverfolder - Run
npm installto install all the depedencies - Run
node indexto start the server
The application should connect to the default server port (3042) automatically!
Hint - Use nodemon instead of node to automatically restart the server on any changes.
This project begins with a client that is allowed to transfer any funds from any account to another account. That's not very secure. By applying digital signatures we can require that only the user with the appropriate private key can create a signature that will allow them to move funds from one account to the other. Then, the server can verify the signature to move funds from one account to another.
- Incorporate Public Key Cryptography so transfers can only be completed with a valid signature
- The person sending the transaction should have to verify that they own the private key corresponding to the address that is sending funds