Abstract
Blockchain-based decentralized cryptocurrency platforms are currently one of the hottest topics in technology. Although most of the interest is generated by cryptocurrency related activities, it is becoming apparent that a much wider spectrum of applications can leverage the blockchain technology. The primary concepts enabling such general use of the blockchain are the so-called smart contracts, which are special programs that run on the blockchain. One of the most popular blockchain platforms that supports smart contracts is Ethereum. As smart contracts typically handle money, ensuring their low number of faults and vulnerabilities are essential. To aid smart contract developers and help to mature the technology, we need analysis tools and studies for smart contracts. As an initiative for this, we propose the adoption of some well-known OO metrics for Solidity smart contracts. Furthermore, we analyze more than 40 thousand Solidity source files with our prototype tool. The results suggest that smart contract programs are short, neither overly complex nor coupled too much, do not rely heavily on inheritance, and either quite well-commented or not commented at all. Moreover, smart contracts could benefit from an external library and dependency management mechanism, as more than 85% of the defined libraries in Solidity files code the same functionalities.
Highlights
Decentralized cryptocurrencies have gained considerable interest and adoption since Bitcoin was introduced in 2009 [1]
As an initiative for this, we propose the adoption of some well-known OO metrics for Solidity smart contracts
We proposed the use of well-known static OO metrics to the smart contracts written in the Solidity contract-oriented language
Summary
Decentralized cryptocurrencies have gained considerable interest and adoption since Bitcoin was introduced in 2009 [1]. Users in a cryptocurrency network run a consensus protocol to maintain and secure a shared ledger of data (the blockchain). This means that cryptocurrencies are administered publicly by users in the network without relying on any trusted third parties. Blockchains were initially introduced for peer-to-peer payments, but since it have become clear that blockchain technology can be used for much more than that. One such new use of blockchains is the execution of so-called smart contracts. A smart contract is a program that runs on the blockchain and has its correct execution enforced by the consensus protocol [2]
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