Business Most Common Mistakes in Smart Contract Development JohnAugust 8, 20220147 views Most Common Mistakes in Smart Contract Development There are common mistakes that smart contract developers make that you should try to avoid. Here’s our list: Table of Contents 1. Not Defining the Scope of the Smart Contract2. Not Testing Extensively3. Relying on Third-Party Libraries4. Not Documenting the Code5. Incorrect Use of Storage Variables6. Not Handling Errors Properly7. Not Using Access Modifiers Properly8. Use of Deprecated Features9. Lack of Security audit10. Not Following Best PracticesConclusion 1. Not Defining the Scope of the Smart Contract When starting a smart contract project, it is important to first define the scope of what the smart contract will do. Trying to do too much with a single smart contract can lead to unforeseen vulnerabilities and errors. It is best to keep your smart contracts small and focused on a single purpose. 2. Not Testing Extensively Before deploying a smart contract onto a blockchain, it is important to test it extensively. This is because once a smart contract is deployed, it cannot be changed or reversed. Any errors in the contract could have major implications and result in financial losses. 3. Relying on Third-Party Libraries When developing a smart contract, it is important to be aware of the dependencies that it has. If a smart contract relies on a third-party library, there is a risk that the library could be updated in a way that breaks the contract. For this reason, it is best to avoid using third-party libraries whenever possible. 4. Not Documenting the Code Self-documenting code is always easier to read and understand than code that lacks documentation. When developing a smart contract, be sure to include comments throughout the code so that others can easily understand what it does. Quick Tip: If you want to be sure that these mistakes are avoided, hire a professional and world-known Smart Contract Developer Company. 5. Incorrect Use of Storage Variables There are two types of storage variables in solidity: memory and storage. It is important to use these variables correctly, as using the wrong variable can result in errors. For example, using a storage variable when a memory variable is required can lead to data being overwritten. 6. Not Handling Errors Properly It is important to handle errors properly when developing a smart contract. If an error is not handled correctly, it could lead to unexpected behavior or even financial losses. 7. Not Using Access Modifiers Properly In solidity, there are different access modifiers that can be used to control who has access to a contract’s functions and variables. These modifiers are important for security and should be used correctly. Otherwise, it could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or functionality. 8. Use of Deprecated Features When developing a smart contract, it is important to use only the latest features of the solidity programming language. This is because older features may no longer be supported or could contain vulnerabilities. 9. Lack of Security audit Before deploying a smart contract onto a blockchain, it is highly recommended to have an independent security audit done. This will help to identify any potential vulnerabilities in the contract so that they can be fixed before deployment. 10. Not Following Best Practices There are best practices that smart contract developers should follow in order to write secure and reliable code. Some of these practices include using programming patterns, avoiding common pitfalls, and following coding conventions. Conclusion Avoiding these common mistakes in smart contract development will help to ensure that your contracts are secure and reliable. Following best practices will also make your code easier to read and understand, which can be helpful for other developers who may need to work on your code in the future. Finally, remember to always test your contracts extensively before deploying them onto a blockchain.