If we compare the traditional internet to up-and-coming Web3 solutions, a clear advantage is the nature of decentralization offered by blockchain networks. There are different forms of decentralization in blockchain such as independent, worldwide masternode operators ensuring a network cannot be taken down, or the open-source protocol that allows any developer to build and deploy smart contracts onto the network.
But true decentralization goes beyond the nodes and a protocol. It involves facilitating growth, and gaining the trust of independent developers who want to build on the network.
In software organizations, a thriving developer community is the lifeblood for growth, and the same principle is true for blockchain. An interesting metric to assess mass adoption is when a developer asks themself: “Are my friends developing on the platform?”
To gain the community many blockchain networks aspire for, an active, dedicated, and even evangelical-like group of developers is required to spur organic adoption. More importantly, it requires a robust protocol, easy to use tools, and a transparent, standardized development process to implement changes.
The question becomes, how can such an organized effort be achieved on a decentralized platform? Ultimately, a group of dedicated community members start a movement around a shared purpose: to promote and facilitate the advancements of network tools and processes.
XDC Community was established with a mission to facilitate a prosperous decentralized developer community for the XDC Network. The core focus areas are:
- Decentralized Decision Making & Support
- Process Standardization
- Robust Documentation
- Developer Tools
As outlined above, decentralization is required to distribute authority, responsibility and resources for providing long-term network support and decision making. XDC Community is bringing transparency to major network processes and documentation by providing platforms for decentralized collaboration and communications; and creating a sense of togetherness giving value to community members who can become part of something bigger than themselves.
One of the best ways for a community to grow is through the collaboration and creation of robust documentation and valuable content; including developer docs, API guidelines, how-to guides, case studies, and other technical articles. Since XDC Community is a decentralized entity, it relies on the contributions from community members to provide the content back to the group. The better the documentation, the clearer the instructions, the easier it is for a new developer to build — leading to the growth of the network and its evangelists.
Process standardization is necessary for network maturity and onboarding new developers. XDC Network Improvement Proposals (XIPs) were recently introduced and approved by the community and core dev team. XIPs will become the standards for the XDC Network — including core protocol specifications, client APIs, and contract standards. These proposals will be edited, reviewed, and put into action through a transparent process that involves community members to make big contributions to see the network they’re part of grow. You can learn more about the XIP process or how to contribute here.
An open-source GitHub developer portal (under community construction right now) will serve as home base. On GitHub, community members can maintain relevant network, protocol, API, and other critical documentation. The goal is to develop feature-rich, reliable, and easy-to-use developer tools, all spearheaded by the diverse voices of our growing community. Interested developers will be incentivized to both define priorities and execute them.
XDC Community has secured a $25,000 grant from XDC Foundation to jumpstart this initiative. Everyone in the community that is a blockchain developer with EVM experience is encouraged to get involved, as there is a need for all sorts of voices and capabilities.
These initiatives will make the network a more inviting place, facilitating further community growth and innovation. Interested parties can start today by contributing to the XDC Community GitHub or take a look at the open bounties already up for grabs on Gitcoin. Opportunity awaits those who wish to help build the decentralized developer community on the XDC Network.
The content above represents my own individual perspective as an XDC community member and does not reflect the official stance of XDC Foundation.
