11/04/2021
Most internet-based apps & services host their code on private, centralized servers. In contrast, smart contract-based decentralized applications, known as “dApps” run backend code on decentralized peer-to-peer networks.
As a benefit of this design, dApps benefit from zero downtime, immutable + verifiable data, full auditability, and private, permissionless access. As with APIs, these specialized programs are composable & interoperable.
By combining the power of smart contracts with user facing front ends allowing for easy & intuitive interaction, rapid iteration and innovation has become the norm.
For reference, MetaMask, Uniswap, Aave & Compound, some of the most prominent dApps, are all a consequence of interoperability.
Though this new era of programming is still in its formative stage, dApps will serve as the new de facto standard for internet-native applications, products & services in the Web3 future.