Blockfrost C++ SDK

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Mert Köklü

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

Individual

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

37000

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

4

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

No

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

Developing a user-friendly C++ SDK for the Blockfrost API, providing C++ developers with efficient library to utilize Blockfrost, interact with Cardano to consume within their applications.

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

No

[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?

Yes

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

The project will be fully open-source, available on GitHub under the MIT license, free to use, and open to contributions from developers through pull requests and issues.

[METADATA] Horizons

Developer Tools

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Blockfrost is best described as an API service that allows users to interact with the Cardano blockchain and parts of its ecosystem.

Developing C++ SDK for the Blockfrost API will address the critical need for more accessible and efficient development within the Cardano ecosystem for Cpp developers. Blockfrost client SDKs are available in over 15 languages, but C++ is notably missing. Given C++'s popularity and critical role in blockchain ecosystems, introducing a C++ implementation addresses a significant gap.

This SDK will serve as a comprehensive library, encapsulating the Blockfrost API functionalities into a makefile package with easy installation. By providing high-level functions that abstract away the details of HTTP requests and JSON parsing, it will simplify easy interaction with the Blockfrost API. Users will simply need to instantiate the client and call methods corresponding to specific API endpoints to fetch or interact with Cardano. This approach will shield developers from frequent API changes and the intricacies of handling raw API requests.

By abstracting the complexities associated with direct API calls, this C++ SDK will make development on Cardano more accessible to a wider audience of Cpp developers, including those new to Cardano development. Thus, accelerating the development of dApps on Cardano. This addition will also attract Cpp developers and expand the variety of applications built on the Cardano ecosystem using Blockfrost, thereby promoting its growth.

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

The C++ SDK for the Blockfrost API will improve the Cardano ecosystem by making it easier for developers to interact with Cardano through abstracted complexities of manual interaction with Blockfrost API. This attracts more CPP developers, thus increased developer activity will lead to a wider range of robust dapps, growing the ecosystem.

Success of the SDK will be measured by tracking its downloads and GitHub stars, supplemented by direct feedback from developers through dev channels in Discord and forum. This will help us assess its usability and impact on development efficiency.

I aim to achieve over 120 total downloads (from all releases) within the first 4 months of the SDK's first release by actively promoting it through community engagement with Cardano developers.

The SDK will be freely available on GitHub for easy access and community collaboration. I will provide clear documentation and usage examples to assist developers in using the SDK effectively, and I will engage with the Cardano community through forums, Discord, and issues in Github to ensure the SDK meets ongoing developer needs.

[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 a proven track record of successfully completing projects while maintaining high levels of trust and accountability. I have extensive experience in developing C++ SDKs and APIs, with a strong understanding of Cardano ecosystem.

I have successfully developed a Python SDK library for Arbitrum, showcasing my ability to deliver high-quality, user-friendly SDKs. The published extension consistently achieves 100-200 monthly downloads on PyPI, reflecting its value and effectiveness within the developer community

I have experience working with well-known protocols such as Solana, Arbitrum, Filecoin etc. showcasing my ability to handle multiple ecosystems and expertise. I have developed more than 15+ grantee projects for 10+ protocols so far which are well received by the communities and developers. All of these projects are open-source and available on my GitHub.

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

SDK Setup and Basic Functionality

Milestone Outputs

• Setup of the C++ project and configuration of the development environment.
• Implementation of fundamental functionalities within the SDK to connect to the Blockfrost API, handle HTTP requests, and JSON parsing. This includes core API services such as Network, Block, Account, Addresses endpoints.
• Basic authentication mechanisms for accessing protected endpoints.

Acceptance Criteria

• Successful setup of the C++ SDK structure.
• Ability to connect to the Blockfrost API and fetch data for Network, Block, Account, Addresses endpoints.
• Code is reviewed and committed to the GitHub repository.

Evidence of Milestone Completion

• GitHub commits showing the setup and initial implementation of Network, Block, Account, Addresses functionalities.
• Test results demonstrating successful API calls.

Expanded Functionality and Testing

Milestone Outputs

• Development of additional API functionalities: Transactions, Assets, Epochs, Pools and Mempool endpoints.
• Implementation of comprehensive error handling and unit tests to ensure the robustness of the SDK.

Acceptance Criteria

• SDK successfully handles API calls across the newly added functionalities without errors.
• Unit tests are developed for new functionalities with at least 80% coverage.

Evidence of Milestone Completion

• GitHub commits showing the developed code for expanded functionalities.
• Unit test results verifying the functionality and reliability.

Completion, Documentation, and Release

Milestone Outputs

• Integration of the remaining functionalities such as Ledger, Metadata, Scripts and remaining functionalities.
• Development of detailed documentation and usage examples for using the SDK.
• Final testing to ensure compatibility and performance across all supported features.

Acceptance Criteria

• Complete functionality of the SDK with all planned endpoints integrated.
• Comprehensive documentation that allows developers to easily understand and utilize the SDK.
• All modules and features pass final integration tests.

Evidence of Milestone Completion

• GitHub commits showing the developed code for final functionalities.
• Completed documentation accessible via GitHub readme and GitHub Pages.
• Test scripts and final testing results showing successful queries across all functionalities.

Project Close-out and Public Release

Milestone Outputs

• Packaging and releasing the SDK on GitHub and relevant C++ package managers for easy installation and broad accessibility.
• Creating a close-out report and a demonstration video showcasing the SDK's features and usage.

Acceptance Criteria

• Documentation and tutorials are comprehensive, clearly written, and easily accessible to developers.
• The close-out report and demonstration video effectively show the SDK's capability and how to implement it in projects.

Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Links to the close-out report and the hosted demonstration video.
• Release of the SDK on package managers, ensuring easy installation and broad accessibility for the C++ developer community.

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

Mert Köklü

Mert holds a degree in Computer Science and worked as the Intelligent Video Analytics Team Leader at an NVIDIA distributor company for two years, developing AI solutions. He has since contributed to multiple Web3 protocols through innovative projects. Mert is a certified NVIDIA instructor and ambassador for organizations like Microsoft and The Graph protocol.

Here are some of my previous projects:

• Arbitrum Python SDK: https://github.com/justmert/arbitrum-python-sdk
• Ape Python plugin: https://github.com/justmert/ape-cairo

Links to my profiles

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mertkoklu/

GitHub: https://github.com/justmert

Discord: mertkkl

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

Developer Compensation: Compensation for the my time spent on designing, developing, testing, and releasing Blockfrost C++ SDK.

• Amount: 25,000 ADA
• Details: This covers full-time development work at a rate of 6,250 ADA per month for 4 months.

Maintenance and Support: Ongoing maintenance and user support for the SDK for 12 months following the development period.

• Amount: 12,000 ADA
• Details: This will cover activities such as updating the SDK to keep it compatible with new versions of API changes. It also covers fixing any bugs that arise, and providing user support via forums and direct communications.

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

The cost of developing the C++ SDK for the Blockfrost API offers significant value for the Cardano ecosystem. This project simplifies development and interacting with Cardano for CPP developers, making it easier to build applications on Cardano. This contribution will increase the growth among Cpp developers within the ecosystem by making development with Blockfrost more accessible and efficient.

The cost of the project is designed to maximize value while ensuring efficient use of funds for specialized blockchain development. The budget of 37,000 ADA (approximately $12,500 USD) is allocated over a 4-month development period. This amounts to 9,250 ADA per month, or roughly $3,125 USD per month, which is competitive for blockchain development, especially considering the expertise required in C++, the Cardano ecosystem, and API integration. Given the potential impact of this SDK on expanding the Cardano ecosystem and attracting Cpp developers, this project represents excellent value for money by fostering the growth of data-driven dApps and developer engagement within the Cardano community.