Please describe your proposed solution

The goal of this proposal is to build on the success of the UPLC Debugger v1 by adding key features that will further streamline the debugging process for developers on the Cardano blockchain. In this next iteration, we will:

• Integrate the debugger into VSCode: This will allow developers to access the debugging tool directly within a widely used IDE, improving accessibility and reducing friction.

• Enhance User Experience (UX): The debugger will feature a more intuitive interface, with clearer visualizations and better organization of debugging data for easier navigation and understanding.

• Introduce Speculative Execution: Developers will be able to test different code paths without having to rewrite or re-execute entire contracts, saving significant time and effort.

These improvements will provide a more efficient and user-friendly debugging environment, empowering developers to quickly identify and resolve issues in their smart contracts while reducing the learning curve for those new to UPLC.

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

This next iteration of the UPLC debugger will significantly improve the developer experience on Cardano, making it easier to build and debug smart contracts. This will encourage more developers to adopt Cardano for their projects, reduce development time, and foster innovation within the ecosystem.

Impact Measurement:

• Developer Adoption: Number of developers using the tool, measured through GitHub forks, stars, and downloads.

• VSCode Extension Usage: Usage metrics from the VSCode marketplace to track how many developers install and use the debugger extension.

• Feedback and Improvements: Collecting feedback from developers and iterating based on their suggestions to further improve the tool.

Outputs Sharing: The tool, including the VSCode extension, will be open-source, with ongoing updates shared through GitHub. Regular progress reports will be shared with the Cardano community via our Twitter account.

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?

Our team has already delivered a successful v1 of the UPLC debugger, demonstrating our capability to develop high-quality developer tools for Cardano. With experienced developers and designers on the team, we are confident in our ability to deliver this next iteration within the proposed budget and timeline.

We will validate feasibility through continuous testing and feedback loops with the community, ensuring that each new feature (VSCode integration, speculative execution, improved UX) meets the needs of Cardano developers.

Trust and Accountability: All development will be done in the open, with source code available on GitHub. We will also provide regular updates on progress and milestones to ensure transparency.

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

Milestone 1: Milestone 1: VSCode Extension Integration (Month 1-2)

• Output: A fully functional VSCode extension for the UPLC debugger.
• Acceptance Criteria: The extension allows developers to run and debug UPLC smart contracts within VSCode, with basic step-through functionality and state inspection.
• Proof of Achievement: Demo video posted to YouTube and a notification on our X/Twitter account

Milestone 2: Milestone 2: User Experience (UX) Improvements (Month 2-3)

• Output: A refined interface with improved navigation, data visualizations, and debugging workflow.
• Acceptance Criteria: Enhancements making the debugger more intuitive and easier to use.
• Proof of Achievement: Demo video posted to YouTube and a notification on our X/Twitter account

Milestone 3: Milestone 3: Speculative Execution Feature (Month 3-4)

• Output: Speculative execution functionality added, allowing developers to explore different code paths without fully re-executing the contract.
• Acceptance Criteria: Internal testing confirms speculative execution works as intended, and the feature is successfully deployed to users.
• Proof of Achievement: Demo video posted to YouTube and a notification on our X/Twitter account

Final Milestone: Final Milestone: Public Release and Documentation (End of Month 4)

• Output: Public release of the new version of the debugger, with documentation.
• Acceptance Criteria: Public launch, availability on GitHub.
• Proof of Achievement: Demo video posted to YouTube and a notification on our X/Twitter account

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

• Lead Developer: Responsible for VSCode integration and speculative execution features.

• UX Designer: Focused on improving the user experience and creating an intuitive interface.

• QA Engineer: Ensures functionality is thoroughly tested, including the speculative execution feature.

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

• VSCode Integration Development: $10,000 (for extension development and initial feature set)

• UX Design and Improvements: $7,500 (to redesign the interface and improve the user experience)

• Speculative Execution Development: $7,500 (for developing and testing the speculative execution feature)

• QA Testing and Documentation: $3,000 (ensuring the final product is thoroughly tested and well-documented)

• Project Management and Reporting: $2,000 (coordination and management of the project and communication with stakeholders)

No Dependencies

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

The budget of $30,000 USD has been carefully allocated to ensure the delivery of a robust tool with essential new features like VSCode integration and speculative execution. Each cost item reflects the work required to enhance the tool’s functionality and usability, with a focus on providing maximum value to Cardano developers. The integration with VSCode, in particular, will increase the tool’s adoption by making it more accessible and aligned with developers’ workflows, ultimately benefiting the broader Cardano ecosystem.