Stories from the dev front (memoir)

Technical Discussion
#64

plain javascript? no strongly typed language compiled to javascript?
Devs have a track record that speaks volumes, but I must say having multiple components in different languages, nodejs which is a nightmare to administer, plain javascript which doesn’t help for maintenance of large code bases, mongodb (dated article, but not reassuring: http://hackingdistributed.com/2014/04/06/another-one-bites-the-dust-flexcoin/) and a full rewrite wrapped in secrecy makes it look really scary as it is usually a recipe for disaster.

Let’s hope my fears will be laughed at when Catapult launches

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#65

that’s why you put things in docker containers :wink:

rest layer is a tiny piece. the real thing is the p2p/api servers behind.

in catapult mongo is not used as a storage for p2p network.

also: always make sure to, check your facts:
a) I don’t think it was ever mentioned that flexcoin (and poloniex for that matter) was using mongo
b) The author of article is involved in key-value solution hyperdex.org (it’s up to you to figure out motives)
c) (some additional reading: http://blog-shaner.rhcloud.com/the-real-bitcoin-nosql-failure/)

1 Like
#66

Rather than linking the article, which is an easy target to shoot down for the reasons you mention, I should have simply mentioned that the mongodb documentation still states today MongoDB does not support multi-document transactions.

The fears I expressed are due to:

  • a complete rewrite
  • with a risk of over engineering
  • leading to a solution complex and difficult to maintain.

As I said, I hope you guys prove me completely wrong when Catapult is released.

#67

today MongoDB does not support multi-document transactions

Yes that is a known issue with MongoDB, but it is not something that is required. MongoDB is merely storing supplemental data and was chosen for high query performance to satisfy high TPS scenarios. Blocks - the “ground truth” of any blockchain - and certain calculated data are stored on disk in a different mechanism. In fact, backbone nodes have no requirement for MongoDB at all. MongoDB is only used to serve data to API clients.

a complete rewrite, with a risk of over engineering, leading to a solution complex and difficult to maintain

That is a risk of any large engineering effort, but I think we have things mostly under control. There has been a concerted effort to build everything with pluggability in mind in order to facilitate future development.

4 Likes
#68

Could you help settle a debate I am having with a fellow NEM true believer? Will migrating the NEM blockchain to catapult require a hardfork?

#69

Thanks @Jaguar0625 for chiming in. Happy to hear you consider to have things mostly under control.
I’m looking forward to seeing the result of the team’s hard work published as open source. That will be a huge milestone and should ease lots of fears. If it could bring more contributions to the development of NEM it would be even better!

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#70

I am also a little bit nervous, because of the complete rewrite:/
But I believe in you, you are working for such a long time on this project, you will do a great job!
I am probably one of the rare investors who are not impatient for the Catapult release, good things need time!
So don’t listen to the impatient people, take your time and keep up the great work!

#71

updated OP

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#72

Too quiet lately. :slight_smile:

#73

quite before the storm perhaps? :grinning:

#74

Last update was 1 September, today is 17 October, any new updates ?

#75

cosignatures collector is hard :wink:

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#76

These updates are great, thanks @gimre.

If I could make a suggestion, there only one thing worse than an expectation… and that’s an expectation that isn’t managed well.

And the community/wider market have (for right or wrong) an expectation set by Lon Wong that Catapult “should be released before the end of the year” on Mijin.

These updates don’t tell us whether that expectation is still valid, and whilst it would be a very positive move to “surprise” us with an early release, it would also be a very negative move if that expectation wasn’t met.

I’m sure the foundation have this in mind, but it would be good to ensure expectations are managed well as we’re only 56 days from the end of the year now :slight_smile:

Cheers
Rob

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The lack of information is becoming disturbing
#77
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#78

Expectation management: :white_check_mark:

#79

burnup rate
burnup rate.png1541×455 77.5 KB

(Grey = alpha, Blue is beta)

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#81

any updates ?

#82

here you go

1 Like
#83

@gimre we have 2018 now :stuck_out_tongue:

#84

see? I don’t even know what year it is anymore :upside_down_face:

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