Lesson 2: Our Learning Project — CertiDOT
Welcome to our first hands-on challenge! In this lesson, we'll introduce CertiDOT, a decentralized credential verification system that we'll build together as we progress through this course. By the end, we'll have a solid understanding of what CertiDOT aims to achieve, its design, and the milestones we'll hit while creating it. This project is not just an academic exercise but a gateway into real-world blockchain applications. Let's get started!
Why CertiDOT?
Imagine this: We've worked hard for years earning degrees and certifications, only for them to sit in an outdated, insecure database managed by a third party. Worse yet, fake credentials are everywhere, damaging trust in the system. Centralized verification is broken and ripe for disruption.
CertiDOT fixes this by decentralizing credential verification. Using blockchain technology, credentials become tamper-proof, secure, and globally accessible. The best part? No middlemen are needed. CertiDOT empowers issuers, holders, and verifiers to interact in a trustless manner. It's a perfect showcase for Polkadot's power and a great way to solidify our understanding of decentralized systems.
Interestingly, OpenCerts, a project in Singapore, has already implemented a related approach for academic certifications. OpenCerts uses blockchain to validate educational credentials, making fake qualifications a thing of the past. By leveraging distributed ledger technology, they've simplified the process for both institutions and employers. CertiDOT builds upon this idea but adds the dimension of interoperability with multiple blockchains, making it even more versatile and scalable.
CertiDOT's Purpose
At its core, CertiDOT is about trust, transparency, and security. Credential issuers (like universities) create records, credential holders (students or professionals) manage their credentials, and verifiers (employers, recruiters) authenticate these records.
Through CertiDOT, we'll not just learn how blockchain works but experience firsthand how decentralized systems can solve real-world challenges. This isn't just about building a project; it's about making an impact.
Learning Milestones
Building CertiDOT is a journey, and like any journey, it's best tackled step by step. Here are the three key milestones:
Phase 1 — Smart Contracts with Ink! We'll start by designing a smart contract to store and verify credentials. This involves exploring Ink!, the Rust-based smart contract language tailored for Polkadot.
Phase 2 — Blockchain Transition with Substrate Once we've mastered smart contracts, we'll transition CertiDOT into a standalone blockchain. Using Substrate, we'll implement additional features and gain deeper control over system behavior.
Phase 3 — Custom Features and Governance Finally, we'll enhance CertiDOT by adding governance mechanisms, user roles, and cross-chain capabilities. We'll also prepare it for deployment on Polkadot's mainnet.
Things to Keep in Mind
Focus on Basics: Let's ensure we get the core features of CertiDOT working before diving into advanced functionality. A strong foundation makes the rest easier.
Iterate and Test: Each milestone is a chance to refine what we've built. Regular testing helps us catch issues early and keeps our project solid.
Stay Curious: Blockchain development involves tackling unfamiliar concepts. It's okay to take time to explore and ask questions as we move forward.
