Please describe your proposed solution

Perception of the Problem:

The Aiken ecosystem currently lacks an integrated online tool that enables users to efficiently build, test, and deploy smart contracts. This gap hinders rapid learning and effective sharing of Aiken projects, slowing down innovation and adoption.

Approach to the Solution:

Our proposed solution is to develop an Online Aiken IDE based on a web-based version of VSCode. This IDE will be specifically tailored for the Aiken ecosystem and will include:

Pre-Installed Tools: The IDE will come pre-equipped with the Aiken extension, Aiken Compiler, and essential programming environments including Node.js, Deno, and Python.

Collaborative Features: Users will be able to create, store, and share their projects securely and safely, enhancing collaboration and learning.

End-to-End Testing: The platform will support end-to-end testing capabilities for smart contracts, ensuring comprehensive verification before deployment.

Target Audience:

The IDE will cater to both novice and experienced developers entering the Aiken ecosystem, educational institutions looking to provide hands-on blockchain technology experience, and teams needing a collaborative environment for development.

Demonstration of Impact:

We will measure the IDE’s impact through user engagement metrics (number of projects developed, frequency of use), feedback from community surveys, and the pace of user growth. Success stories and case studies will be published to showcase how the IDE facilitates faster learning and project development.

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

Positive Impact on the Cardano Community

Value to the Community:

The development of an Online Aiken IDE designed for the Cardano blockchain will significantly empower developers by streamlining the process of building, testing, and deploying smart contracts on the Cardano network. This tool will:

- Enhance the technical capabilities within the community by providing a robust, accessible platform for innovation.

- Foster a collaborative environment, encouraging more shared learning experiences.

- Accelerate the adoption of Cardano technology by making it easier for newcomers to enter the ecosystem and for existing developers to expedite their projects.

Measurement of Impact:

To accurately gauge the IDE’s impact on the Cardano community, we will employ both quantitative and qualitative metrics:

- Quantitative: We will track the number of users, frequency of IDE usage, number of projects developed, and the adoption rate of the IDE within the Cardano developer community.

- Qualitative: Feedback from user surveys and community forums will be analyzed to assess user satisfaction, ease of use, and the educational value of the IDE.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

The outcomes and opportunities resulting from the Online Aiken IDE project will be disseminated through various channels to maximize community engagement:

- Documentation and Tutorials: Comprehensive guides and video tutorials will be made available to assist users in leveraging the IDE effectively.

- Community Engagement: Results will be shared via Cardano community forums, webinars, and workshops. We will also present at blockchain and technology conferences to highlight the project's contributions to the Cardano ecosystem.

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?

Governance and Risk Management:

- Dedicated Project Team: Our team consists of experienced developers, a project lead, and QC engineers who have a proven track record in delivering blockchain solutions, ensuring that we have the necessary expertise to execute the project efficiently.

- Regular Updates and Transparent Reporting: We will provide regular progress reports to stakeholders and the Cardano community through our project portal and community forums. This includes updates on milestones achieved, budget expenditure, and any challenges faced, maintaining transparency throughout the project lifecycle.

- Auditing and Quality Assurance: All code will be thoroughly reviewed and audited by internal QC engineers and external auditors to ensure it meets high-quality standards and security benchmarks.

Validation of Feasibility:

- Technical Feasibility Testing: Early in the project, we will conduct technical feasibility tests to validate the proposed solutions against the set requirements and constraints.

Community Feedback Loops: By involving the Cardano community early through beta testing phases, we will gather feedback to ensure the IDE aligns with user needs and Cardano ecosystem standards.

- Pilot Deployment: Before full deployment, a pilot version of the IDE will be launched to test real-world usability and performance, allowing us to address any issues before the official release.

Deployment Site:

The finalized Online Aiken IDE will be deployed at cardanodev.io domain. This site will serve as the central access point for all users to write, test, and deploy their smart contracts, facilitating easy and direct engagement with the tool.

Measuring Impact:

- Quantitative Metrics: We will track the number of active users, the number of smart contracts developed using the IDE, and user retention rates to quantitatively measure the project’s impact.

- Qualitative Feedback: Regular surveys and interviews with users will help assess satisfaction, usability, and the educational value of the IDE.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

- Documentation and Resources: Comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and case studies will be published on our website and shared with the Cardano community.

- Community Workshops and Webinars: We will host workshops and webinars to educate the community about the capabilities of the new IDE and to discuss best practices in smart contract development.

- Open Source Contribution: The project’s outputs, including all developed tools and code, will be made available under an open-source license, encouraging further development and collaboration within the community.

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

Milestone 1: Basic Web-based Online IDE Development (3 months)

- Objective: Establish the foundational infrastructure and core functionalities of the Online Aiken IDE.

- Features to be implemented:

1. Setup CI/CD: Implement Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment pipelines to ensure smooth and automated code deployment and testing processes.

2. Setup Deployment Environment: Establish a robust deployment environment that supports scalable and secure application hosting.

3. Develop Core Features of the Online Aiken IDE: Begin the development of core IDE functionalities, including the basic user interface and backend services.

4. Create, Store, and Share Projects: Implement features that allow users to create projects, save their work, and share it with others within the IDE environment.

Milestone 2: Aiken Core Functions (3 months)

- Objective: Continue the development of the Online Aiken IDE by integrating advanced functionalities that support the full lifecycle of smart contract development.

- Features to be Implemented:

1. Support for Developing Aiken Scripts: Implement tools and interfaces that facilitate the coding and editing of Aiken scripts within the IDE.

2. Testing Environment for Aiken Scripts: Create a robust testing framework that allows developers to test Aiken scripts directly within the IDE.

3. Build Tools for Aiken Scripts: Develop and integrate build tools that compile Aiken scripts efficiently, preparing them for deployment.

4. Deploy Smart Contracts Onchain: Enable functionalities that allow users to directly deploy their smart contracts from the IDE to the onchain environment.

Final Milestone: Advanced Aiken E2E Testing and Feedback Integration (3 months)

- Objective: Enhance the Online Aiken IDE by adding comprehensive end-to-end testing for smart contracts and integrating a user feedback mechanism to gather insights directly from users.

- Features to be Implemented:

1. End-to-End Testing Support for Smart Contracts: Develop and integrate a suite of end-to-end testing tools within the IDE that allow users to perform detailed tests on smart contracts under various real-world scenarios to ensure functionality and robustness.

2. User Feedback Mechanism: Implement a feature within the IDE that allows users to easily provide feedback on the IDE’s functionalities, usability, and performance. This will include user-friendly forms or in-IDE prompts that encourage active user participation.

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

Chi Thuc, Nguyen - Project Lead, https://www.linkedin.com/in/thucnc/

- Role: Techincal architecture and product owner.

- Experience: 20 years in software development.

Nhat Huy, Nguyen - Software Engineering

- Role: Responsible for development of the Online Aiken IDE, UX/UI.

- Experience: 5 years in software development.

Phong Phu, Tran - Software Engineering

- Role: Responsible for development of the Online Aiken IDE, BE.

- Experience: 15 years in software development.

Quoc Vuong, Đo - DevOps, SRE

- Role: Responsible for development of the Online Aiken IDE, DevOps, QC.

- Experience: 5 years in software development.

Thuy Quynh, Nguyen - Senior Automation Tester

- Role: Audit the whole project and consult with the automation flows

- Experience: 15 years in automation testing, 2 years in Cardano Smart Contract auditting

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

• Development team: ~ ₳80.000
• Infrastructure: ₳10.000
• Marketing: ₳10.000

Total: ~₳100.000

We under estimated the development cost since we will self-fund for this project as well. The actual development cost should be much higher.

Our project is dependent on external open-source projects which are essential for our product's development and delivery:

• VSCode (GitHub Repository): We are basing our Online Aiken IDE on VSCode, a widely adopted and highly versatile open-source code editor developed by Microsoft. This dependency is crucial as it provides a robust, well-maintained codebase and a rich ecosystem of extensions that are pivotal for integrating advanced development features into our IDE.
• Code Server (GitHub Repository): Code Server enables running VSCode on a remote server, which is fundamental to offering a web-based IDE. This allows our IDE to be accessible via web browsers, making it platform-independent and significantly easier to access and use without local installations.

Licenses and Permissions:

Both VSCode and Code Server are open-source projects licensed under the MIT License. This license permits free use, modification, distribution, and private use of the software, which aligns perfectly with our project's needs. We have reviewed the licenses and comply fully with their terms, ensuring that there are no legal barriers to using these software frameworks for developing and distributing our IDE.

How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

We under estimated the development cost since we will self-fund for this project as well. The actual development cost should be much higher.