Building a Decentralized Application with Drupal and IPFS

18 Jul 2023

The solution of decentralization is becoming increasingly popular in the technology industry. Decentralized applications (DApps) promote user collaboration without a centralized management system. They are growing in popularity due to their enhanced security and user-friendliness. This article will delve into developing a decentralized application using Drupal and the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS). We'll discuss these technological innovations and their benefits and provide a comprehensive guide to creating dApps using the popular open-source management system.

Why Drupal for building a decentralized application?

Drupal allows the development of websites and popular apps that users utilize daily. Drupal is known for its outstanding standard features, including simplicity, high performance, and strong security measures. The defining quality of Drupal is its modularity. Any enthusiast can download the CMS, utilize it, and distribute it. 
As you know, it's an exceptionally effective tool for developing dApps. With Drupal, developers can create robust and scalable solutions that can efficiently manage high traffic and transaction volumes.

Top benefits of building dApps with Drupal and IPFS

Aside from programming fundamentals, the development of dApps using Drupal has undeniable advantages:

  • Drupal was designed with the ability to scale projects through distributed systems. Depending on their needs, developers who build their dApps with Drupal can easily manage and develop them over time.
  • When creating dApps, multiple modules and plugins are common. Drupal was specifically made to facilitate seamless integration with third-party tools and services. Moreover, the platform offers a user-friendly interface for managing additional modules and configuring their settings.
  • Drupal is widely recognized for its exceptional decentralized storage capabilities, making it an ideal platform for handling large volumes of data. One of its top priorities is ensuring robust protection against hacking attempts, and it offers specialized tools to manage user access rights and security-level settings.
  • Like any modular system, Drupal has a robust architecture allowing maximum suppleness. This implies that Drupal can be used to create projects of any kind and purpose. Depending on the project's needs, programmers can reach their functions using Drupal options.

Drupal is an excellent choice for developing dApps due to its many features and qualities. The platform offers many benefits, making it an ideal option.

What is IPFS?

The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) protocol is designed to store and disseminate documents in a dispersed network. The hypermedia P2P protocol enables data to be held on servers that automatically interact with each other to establish a worldwide network. Peer-to-peer networking can speed up the Internet if you are out of range. Naturally, this conserves bandwidth and reduces downloading time.

Why is IPFS the perfect solution for dApps?

Here are some key factors contributing to IPFS' growing popularity in blockchain development:

Security
IPFS protects data from tampering by external entities and minimizes resources for storage.
Speed
Due to the IPFS structure, data can be accessed faster than centralized servers.
Compatibility
IPFS is compatible with blockchains, which makes it excellent for app development;
Open source
IPFS is open to all, which allows enthusiasts to take the necessary steps to develop the product.
Efficiency
With IPFS, users save on connecting to centralized servers, which require additional resources to run.

IPFS allows you to create secure, fast, and high-quality products. Consequently, IPFS is one of the most effective solutions available today for developing dApps.

Building dApps with Drupal

When creating a product that meets the target audience's needs, it is crucial to meticulously consider every stage of its development.

  • The first step in planning is to define its purpose. This is when you need to answer the question of what needs the product covers and what final result will be achieved.
  • The next step is to define the scope and audience. This step analyzes the market and determines what benefits innovative dApps solutions bring to the area.
  • Once the purpose, scope, and audience have been defined, the infrastructure must be set up, and development must begin.

Planning must always follow these steps. Only after these have been completed should you create the application itself.

Application development

  1. Choose the right modules. Drupal modules provide IPFS integration and allow you to use it to store files.
  2. Setting up IPFS. To get started with IPFS, you need to install it or use IPFS hosting.
  3. The third task is the integration of IPFS with Drupal. Once the IPFS Connector and IPFS Field modules are installed, you can create fields in Drupal that will provide data storage on the IPFS. You can create new content in Drupal, where instead of uploading the file to the server, you can upload it to IPFS using the modules.
  4. Uploading data to IPFS. Use the downloading interface to upload a file to IPFS to share data. You can also use the IPFS API to upload content.
  5. Content extraction from IPFS. The content kept in IPFS can be extracted through the available API. Content addressing, which provides an individual reference to the content, guarantees safe and secure storage.

Creating a decentralized application using Drupal and IPFS is quite simple and efficient. Modules that integrate IPFS into Drupal are widely available and actively under development.

Test and deploy the dApp

To ensure smooth deployment, it is essential to conduct dApps testing to identify errors and enhance security promptly. Testing is necessary at all stages of dApp development, including functional, integration, and usability testing. All the necessary components must be installed and working. Following specific recommendations is crucial for improving the developed product's support.

  1. Keep an eye out for updates and patches for the application.
  2. Manage application versions to keep track of changes and avoid errors.
  3. Organize backups of your most important data and check on them.
  4. Make sure the network is secure and vulnerability free.

To ensure the successful development of dApps, it is crucial to adhere to these short guidelines:

  • Increase the application's capabilities by combining them with other dApps.
  • Product scale-up through P2P networks. 
  • The InterPlanetary Naming System (IPNS) enables developers to modify the domain distinctly. 
  • Using blockchain technology guarantees the safety and reliability of information.

DApps developed through Drupal and IPFS have a high level of security and functionality and have excellent prospects. The apps can be used in various industries, such as finance, media, network marketing, and many others.

Conclusion

We, as developers, believe that Drupal and IPFS is the best choice for dApps projects. The pros of these technologies are apparent. Open source code, free access, and fast download speeds attract developers to Web3 to create even better and more exciting projects.
Certainly, we encourage you and all blockchain enthusiasts to try these technologies. Please share your experience building a decentralized application with Drupal and IPFS in the comments. Thanks for reading!