Pros and Cons of Decentralized Network Applications
Web 3.0 is just around the corner, and when it finally arrives, it will bring massive changes in how companies create and deploy websites, web applications, and mobile apps. It will be a complete shift. And with the continued development of blockchain, it's safe to say that the decentralized web (aka Web 3.0) is not far off.
This also means that your company will need to start considering applications built specifically for the decentralized network. A decentralized application (also called dApp) uses backend code on decentralized technology, where it obtains and processes data via blockchain. One of the main principles of dApps is that they are not controlled by a centralized server or authority (hence, decentralized).
If you've already looked into dApps or are just hearing about their emergence, what are the pros and cons of using them?
Let's break it down.
Pros of Decentralized Applications
Decentralized applications have many advantages.
Security
Since dApps do not rely on a centralized server for authentication, they are considered significantly more secure than traditional applications. This means not only does your company get more security, but your users also get a much more reliable service. This goes a long way in strengthening company reputation and increasing customer loyalty.
And given how common security breaches are now, anything a company can do to protect data should become a requirement.
Cost Effectiveness
Think about it from another angle: With dApps, you don't need a server because the application is hosted on servers located in a decentralized network. This means your business can save money since you won't have to rent server space or maintain a data center.
Additionally, dApps provide much higher transaction speeds, meaning you get scalable applications with built-in fault tolerance without having to do extra work.
Ease of Development
Much of the very complex protocols used in dApps are abstracted away, so developers don't have to deal with many of the intricacies of how the applications work. This is because these applications run on a decentralized network.
Furthermore, dApps are faster to develop and faster to deploy.
Less Downtime
If the decentralized network lives up to its promises, dApps could eliminate downtime altogether. Since a dApp does not require connection to a single centralized server, businesses can guarantee absolutely minimal service interruptions. Imagine never having to worry about your application being down. Never. That alone should make dApps worthy of your attention.
Never Lose Data
Since your dApp is hosted across the entire decentralized network, you can never lose data. If one blockchain node goes down, there are many others syncing your dApp's data, so you won't miss a beat.
Cons of Decentralized Applications
Now that you've read about the pros of dApps, let's look at their cons.
Steep Learning Curve
dApps operate on a very complex network environment. Blockchain itself is very difficult to get right. But ultimately, it's a completely different type of infrastructure that will require an entirely new mindset from developers, operators, and administrators.
Your teams will need to be well-versed in decentralized networks, which will cause a lot of frustration during the initial migration phase. The learning curve will be steep at first, so be prepared for a slow ramp-up.
Major Changes in Security
Decentralized networks require a different approach to security. You are not dealing with a single server or data center, but a global network, which means your application must be resilient to attacks. This means developers and administrators will have to adopt a completely new security mindset. Instead of traditional security methods, your teams will need to think about the security of global transactions using blockchain-oriented technologies.
Lower User Experience
dApps are a completely different application metaphor, and they are not always able to provide the best user experience. For example, end users will have to learn a completely different way of logging into the application. Instead of traditional username/password authentication, they will have to get used to working with public/private key authentication methods. This will lead to confusion and complaints that your company should be prepared for.
Lower Performance
dApps can be slower than traditional applications. This is due to the widespread nature of the decentralized network. Instead of instant authentication and transactions, users will have to tolerate somewhat slower performance. Of course, the situation will improve over time as blockchain technology is refined.
Conclusion
The question is not whether the decentralized network will happen, but when it will come to life. It will happen, and when it does, your business must be ready for both the ups and the downs. But considering the pros far outweigh the cons, every company around the world should be excited about what this new technology has to offer.