This might be a silly question. if one is able to call JSON RPC API methods such as eth_sendTransaction directly using Postman or any web client, albeit a little troublesome, why use web3?
I have been using web3 js in my DApp. Asking this for understanding.
As you said, you can do everything without web3. Most users just don't find it easy to do most of the things web3 does for you.
So web3 is just a wrapper library which provides easy-to-use access to various functionalities. It makes development a lot easier for those who are not hardcore blockchain enthusiasts (who don't want to write RPC calls). In doing that, it lowers the entry barrier into Ethereum world.
I could also write this answer with on-screen keyboard but it's just a lot easier to write with a real keyboard.
Like any other library, Web3.js is just trying to make things simple for you, the app developer.
You do not need to use it. In fact, you could literally rewrite all the work it does in your own code, but that would be an incredible waste of time.
Instead, Web3.js enables app developers to build things quickly and simply.
For example, get the balance of an Ethereum Address in 40 lines:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<script type="text/javascript" src="./web3.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
window.addEventListener('load', function () {
if (typeof web3 !== 'undefined') {
console.log('Web3 Detected! ' + web3.currentProvider.constructor.name)
window.web3 = new Web3(web3.currentProvider);
} else {
console.log('No Web3 Detected... using HTTP Provider')
window.web3 = new Web3(new Web3.providers.HttpProvider("https://mainnet.infura.io/<APIKEY>"));
}
})
function getBalance() {
var address, wei, balance
address = document.getElementById("address").value
try {
web3.eth.getBalance(address, function (error, wei) {
if (!error) {
var balance = web3.fromWei(wei, 'ether');
document.getElementById("output").innerHTML = balance + " ETH";
}
});
} catch (err) {
document.getElementById("output").innerHTML = err;
}
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
<h1>ETH Balance Fetcher</h1>
<p>Enter your Ethereum Address:</p>
<input type="text" size="50" id="address" />
<button type="button" onClick="getBalance();">Get Balance</button>
<br />
<br />
<div id="output"></div>
</body>
</html>
Imagine having to implement:
getBalance function
Web3 is just a javascript wrapper for the JSON RPC API which can be used to interact with your ethereum node without writing raw JSON RPC calls.
This doesn't mean that web3 is required, you can use other library (ethers.js - still javascript) or do raw call in case the language your using to develop your DApp doesn't have any JSON RPC client for Ethereum.
So in case you're doing something standard just use the libraries already created by the community, if not you can create your own in case there's nothing or you're doing something custom (eg. your private blockchain with custom RPC API in a controlled environment)
Wow, I feel much smarter and way dumber after reading the content and then scrolling back up to the time stamp. Looks like Im about 4 years late to the game but all good! Ya'll take care, be well and thx very much for the assist!
