With the release of RNode-0.2.1 you are now able to run the node in three different network modes, compile and run Rholang code, and connect with other nodes on the network using an encrypted handshake.

About This Release

The RChain Cooperative in partnership with Pyrofex is pleased to announce the release of RNode-0.2. This is the latest of the pre-production release milestones toward the release of the RChain blockchain planned for delivery in the fourth quarter of this year.

The previous version of RNode supported installing and running a node, connecting to peer, and collecting and displaying metrics on local node performance. RNode-0.2.1 builds on this and includes several new features to the node, including an encrypted handshake between nodes and a Rholang interpreter to support running Rholang smart contracts in the node.

Developed by the Pyrofex development team in collaboration members of the RChain Cooperative, the RChain platform is the brainchild of Greg Meredith and described in the RChain Platform Architecture . The goal of this project is to build a decentralized, economically secured, sustainable blockchain. When complete, the platform will include a modular, end-to-end design that is correct-by-construction, operates at a global scale, and supports a rich variety of usable dApps.

Notable enhancements of RNode-0.2.1

Three modes of operation

Node — 0.2.1 supports three modes of operation.

REPL mode — Allows users to execute Rholang code at the command line. This is a read, evaluate, and print loop (REPL). The Rholang tutorial — 0.2 will help you get started with Rholang while operating RNode in REPL mode.

— Allows users to execute Rholang code at the command line. This is a read, evaluate, and print loop (REPL). The Rholang tutorial — 0.2 will help you get started with Rholang while operating RNode in REPL mode. EVAL mode — Allows users to pass in Rholang code stored in a text file with the extension .RHO.

— Allows users to pass in Rholang code stored in a text file with the extension .RHO. P2P mode — Allows users to stand up a node that connects to other nodes in the RChain network. P2P mode is the default.

Full details on operating the node in these modes is described in the documentation.

Encryption handshake

When operating in P2P mode, RNode — 0.2.1 offers an improved handshake between peers. This improvement reflects a blockchain architecture best practice wherein messages sent across the blockchain are encrypted and signed. In this release at startup the RNode generates public and private keys. Users then see the exchange of public keys in an encrypted handshake as RNode connects with peers. Future releases of Node will support sending and receiving encrypted data in the communication channel.

Rholang interpreter

The interpreter in Node — 0.2.1 enables developers to run Rholang code, and observe the normalization of the Rholang terms. Rholang is normalized into Scala objects by using term normalization and structural equivalence. The RChain architecture uses a key value store (tuplespace) to hold programs that are waiting for input (continuations). Rholang sends and receives over channels, represented as keys in the tuplespace.

Get started with RNode-0.2.1

If you have a previous version of RNode, you will need to update it with RNode — 0.2.1 to take advantage of the new encryption handshake.

Download links, documentation, and a tutorial for getting started with Rholang are available through the RChain developer portal: https://developer.rchain.coop

Additional resources and support

The developer portal of the RChain project (https://developer.rchain.coop) is the hub for project status information, software downloads, documentation, tutorials, events, and information on how to get involved with the RChain community and the RChain platform.

Direct questions and comments to the RChain developer forum. Bugs can be filed on our JIRA.

Read more about the RChain Coop.

Thank you to all community members for their continued support. We invite everyone to test this new release. Building and testing a network of nodes and using Rholang smart contracts at every stage of the development process is key to the success of delivering a blockchain with industrial-scale utility. Look for more releases in the coming weeks as we continue to build the RChain blockchain.

Kind regards,

Nash, Mike, and Medha