Technical Updates | September 2024 Recap

In September, Vara Network saw 38 commits to the Gear Protocol repository on GitHub, nearly 37,000 users, 230,000 transactions, 385,000 exchanged messages, and 21 newly uploaded programs. Throughout the month, the developers continued refining the platform, releasing several updates to enhance functionality and performance. A significant focus was placed on aligning `gtest` more closely with the actual runtime behavior.

Below is a summary of the key technical changes:

Pull Request #4148: Refactoring Weight Dumping and Constants Management

This update refactors the weight dumping logic to better synchronize it with the pallet gear schedule and core, removes constants, and improves test coverage for backward compatibility.

Pull Request #4119: Updated Block Execution Model for Consistency

The block execution model in `gtest` has been restructured to better match the vara-runtime, transitioning from immediate block execution upon sending messages to a queue-based approach, and introducing more granular control methods for executing blocks and processing scheduled tasks.

Pull Request #4111: Enhanced Value and Existential Deposit (ED) Management

This update refines value and Existential Deposit (ED) handling in `gtest` by introducing gas expenditure for programs, refactoring account storage, and modifying balance top-up processes to use `System::transaction` instead of `Program::mint`.

Pull Request #4220: Fixed Execution Model for Mock WASMs

Brings the execution model for mock WASMs in `gtest` in line with real WASMs, ensuring consistent processing behavior during dispatch handling.

Pull Request #4046: Added `handle_reply` Method to `MessageFuture`

Introduces a `handle_reply` method for structures using `impl_futures!`, enabling more streamlined handling of asynchronous replies and adding a new example for async-reply hooks.

Pull Request #4157: Implemented Delayed Dispatches and Storage Holding Charges

Adds support for delayed dispatches in `gtest` and introduces a mechanism to charge for holding data in storage, ensuring more accurate resource accounting.

Pull Request #4193 & #4194: Introduced Full Waitlist Management in `gtest`

Implements comprehensive waitlist management in `gtest` by updating core `manager` components, improving task scheduling, and restructuring modules for better readability and organization.

Pull Request #4200: Updated Message Queue Processing

Refines message queue processing in `gtest` to mirror runtime behavior, adds runtime-like logging, and renames `gtest::manager::exec` to `gtest::manager::block_exec` for better clarity.

The v1.6.0 technical update was implemented successfully in September.

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