Python Based Open Source Permissionless Marketplace and Documentation

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Publish the code and documentation for a fully functioning hybrid marketplace application currently running on Cardano mainnet (https://nescrow.xyz) - including onchain,offchain and UI software.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

All elements of the project will be open-source under a MIT License, the on-chain validator code, the off-chain processing code, the front-end application and the guide/documentation.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

This project will increase resources and reduce developer friction through publishing full-stack dApp code and documentation for a fully functioning permissionless marketplace application currently running on Cardano mainnet. The code and documentation would encompass all parts required for a functioning dApp – offchain code written with pycardano, on-chain validator code written in Opshin and the front-end developed with nextJS (typescript).

This project can engage experienced developers and new Cardano entrants or makers. Our approach is filling a gap in the current cardano landscape - there are limited resources for developing in python on Cardano. Python is one of the most widely used and approachable programming languages in existence. Increasing open-sourced guides and code based on python encourages a broad set of developers and hobbyists to explore Cardano. Our submission is unique and valuable as we already have a working and tested application.

Our codebase on github will provide a basis to track project impact.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community.

Our solution adds to the Knowledge base and documentation, increases availability of resources for developer productivity, and includes usable samples/examples for DeFi. As an open source project and an active SPO I aim to interact with developers/community members to clarify/help address all questions related to our project outputs. Funding has been allocated from the budget to ensure community questions can be answered.  

By using gitHub to publish the code we can use the available metrics/forks to monitor code use, and will track any community interactions to asses project impact.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

I have developed multiple smart contracts and dApps using Opshin (python smart contracts). The proposed dApp is already live on mainnet and can be used/viewed currently. As a small business operator and Cardano Stake pool operator I will be able to allocate my time and funds appropriately to ensure timely delivery of the project objectives and milestones.

[Project Milestones] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Refactor and Publish dApp Code (50%): Current codebase to be reviewed and cleaned for general consumption, clarity and concision - add comments to code where required.

As the single developer of the project it will not be difficult to comment and document my own code for use by other developers.

Milestone completion can be verified through github commit/publication

Create documentation(50%): Documentation and guides explaining individual functions, overarching concepts for each domain, descriptions of stack interactions, deployment guidelines (pm2,nginx,systemd,DNS) and smart contract security considerations.

Milestone completion can be verified through github commit/publication

Completion report and final hand-over obligations will be completed after delivery of first 2 Major Milestones. Catalyst representatives can verify through reception/viewing of github repo of final milestone deliverables.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

All code was written tested and deployed by the proposer. All work and deliverables/handover/closeout including project management will be completed by Marc.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Project Management: Manage time and Deliverables/correspondence - 2500 ADA

Milestone 1: Review/Refactor/Publish codebase for clarity/concision/readability - 30 000 ADA

Milestone 2: Write/Publish documentation and guides - 30 000 ADA

Handover/Final Milestone: Final Project report and video submission - 2100 ADA

Community Engagement: Project upkeep/community interaction/Assist developers using codebase/Marketing - 8500 ADA

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

This project is unique as the dApp is already built and functioning on mainnet - The cost of hiring 4 developers (front-end, back-end, Smart contract engineer, system Admin) to complete and deploy a functioning marketplace dApp would far exceed this proposals 73100 ADA cost.

This project not only open-sources the complete codebase for a working marketplace but also delivers comprehensive documentation to increase education and provide tools for new developers to leverage.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agrees to Fund Rules and also that data in the submission form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.