We are heading towards the next hard fork on Hive. This is going to be the first one in a year.
Many are not looking forward to this since it is not feature rich from a user standpoint. That does not mean it is not important. A few of the changes are vital to how things operate.
One of the Resource Credit delegation which will allow users to operate on chain without having to be delegated Hive Power. This is going to be a huge shift for the applications.
At the same time, we are seeing the One-Block Irreversibility (OBI), which will give Hive some of the fastest settlement times in the world.
Both of these offer possibilities that could appeal to developers.
There is something else that is going live at the same time which is a real game changer: Hive Application Framework.
For those who are not technical, this might seem like something to ignore. However, if you hold any Hive Power at all, this should be of interest to you. The reason is simple: it is a game changer.
Blockchain coding is not easy. It requires a special type of developers to be able to do it. Thus, interacting with blockchains via applications is a difficult task. Ask any project team that is building platforms the challenge in finding developers. HAF is going to make this a lot easier.
HAF is a framework that allows developers to create in their own languages. It essentially allows the data to be pulled from the blockchain without having to interact directly with the blockchain. Databases are created and stored at the HAF level, completely bypassing the blockchain (for the developers perspective).
Of course, HAF is tied into the Hive blockchain and requires constant updating. Here is where the experts step in. Those who understand blockchain handle all the updates. If a fork takes place, HAF is brought up to speed, leaving the applications in full operation.
Here is a quick diagram showing it.
Notice the applications at the bottom are written in different languages. This is one of the keys. HAF allows developers to code in JAVA, Python, or whatever they are comfortable with. There is no C++ or specialized language (Solidity) to learn.
Therefore, while the discussion is always on attracting more users, HAF is designed to bring more developers to Hive.
Keep in mind there is rather unique in the blockchain world.
To get a full overview, one can revisit this HAF introductory post.
HAF is going to make Web 3.0 development as simple as creating a website. Any developer that is experienced with using databases, which all are, will suddenly be able to build on Hive.
This expands the potential pool of developers exponentially.
One of the keys is that HAF allows for the construction of a smart contract platform. This becomes important since so many are interested in tokenization. Hive often talks about "tokenized communities". Here we see the where the infrastructure could be built to generate tokens quickly and inexpensively.
Another factor to consider is the security element. A lot of attention is given to hacks and the money that is drained during them. Let us make be clear, hackers are professionals. They understand the programming language better than most using it.
Where this becomes a problem is flaws in the software. When one used Solidity for a few months, it is logical that the lack of experience will lead to some issues. Here is where a hacker can find the vulnerability. Simple ignorance accounts for many of the hackable moments.
This all changes when one is using the same language for the last 10 years (or more). While we could still see hacks, those due to mistakes should be drastically reduced. Also, it is far easier to find someone to review JAVA code as compared to Solidity. Again, there are simply more people who are intimately familiar with the code.
Therefore, we could potentially see integration of Web 3.0 features into websites at a rapid pace. If HAF is filled with pre-existing data structures that developers need, it cuts down on the time significantly. Since everyone is drawing from the same data on the blockchain, the only difference is breaking it down into what individual developers feel is important.
We know how useful fast and fee-less is when conducting transactions. For non-financial applications, this is essential. Of course, up to this point, few looked at Hive to build on.
HAF could change all this. While the huge players still could gravitate towards the likes of Ethereum, Hive could attract developers who are seeking to create utility. It is one thing to make a bunch of money, it is a different matter to get your application or game used.
With Ethereum, we now it is an epicenter for money. The utility of what is built on there is spotty due to the fees. This is an important factor to consider going forward.
This industry is still young. We are still at the point where basic infrastructure is being built. HAF is a piece in the long-term puzzle of Hive.
If the blockchain world is digital real estate, then Hive is creating something very valuable. The base layer along with HAF could put it on par with many other ecosystems out there. In fact, from a technical standpoint, there could be some superiority to Hive.
The next challenge will be making developers aware of it. We will likely see HAF go live the end of July, coinciding with Hard Fork 26.
From there, we will have another piece in the arsenal for developing Web 3.0.
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