How to Integrate / Use Spheron Storage SDK in your dApp/app

Eshank TyagiEshank Tyagi
19 min read

In this blog post, we will walk through the process of integrating and using the Spheron Storage SDK in your decentralized application (dApp) or traditional app.

How to install the Spheron Storage SDK in your dApp/app?

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have the following prerequisites installed:

  • Node.js (version 12 or above)

  • npm (Node package manager)

Step 1: Create a new project

First, let's create a new project directory and initialize it with npm. Open your terminal and run the following commands:

mkdir my-dapp
cd my-dapp
npm init -y

This will create a new directory called my-dapp and initialize it with a default package.json file.

Step 2: Install the Spheron Storage SDK

Next, we need to install the Spheron Storage SDK as a dependency in our project. Run the following command in your terminal:

npm install @spheron/storage-sdk

This will install the latest version of the Spheron Storage SDK and add it to your package.json file.

Step 3: Import the Spheron Storage SDK

Now that we have installed the SDK, we can import it into our code. Create a new JavaScript file called app.js in your project directory and open it in your preferred code editor.

In app.js, import the Spheron Storage SDK using the following code:

const { SpheronStorage } = require('@spheron/storage-sdk');

Step 4: Initialize the Spheron Storage SDK

To use the Spheron Storage SDK, we need to initialize it with our API key. If you don't have an API key yet, you can sign up for one on the Spheron website.

In app.js, add the following code to initialize the SDK with your API key:

const apiKey = 'YOUR_API_KEY';
const spheronStorage = new SpheronStorage(apiKey);

Replace 'YOUR_API_KEY' with your actual API key.

Step 5: Use the Spheron Storage SDK

Now that we have initialized the SDK, we can start using its methods to store and retrieve data on the Spheron Network.

For example, let's store a JSON object on the network. Add the following code to app.js:

const data = {
  name: 'John Doe',
  age: 30,
  email: 'john.doe@example.com'
};

spheronStorage.storeJSON(data)
  .then(hash => {
    console.log('Data stored successfully!');
    console.log('Hash:', hash);
  })
  .catch(error => {
    console.error('Error storing data:', error);
  });

This code will store the data object on the Spheron Network and log the resulting hash to the console.

You can also retrieve the stored data using its hash. Add the following code to app.js:

const hash = 'YOUR_DATA_HASH';

spheronStorage.getJSON(hash)
  .then(data => {
    console.log('Data retrieved successfully!');
    console.log('Data:', data);
  })
  .catch(error => {
    console.error('Error retrieving data:', error);
  });

Replace 'YOUR_DATA_HASH' with the hash of the data you want to retrieve.

Step 6: Run the application

Finally, let's run our application and see the Spheron Storage SDK in action. In your terminal, run the following command:

node app.js

You should see the output of the stored data and the retrieved data in the console.

Congratulations! You have successfully integrated and used the Spheron Storage SDK in your dApp/app. You can now leverage the power of decentralized storage in your applications.

Please note that this guide provides a basic example of using the Spheron Storage SDK. For more advanced usage and additional features, refer to the official documentation provided by Spheron.


Demonstration on how to initialize the Spheron Storage SDK in your dApp/app.

import Spheron from 'spheron-sdk';

// Initialize the Spheron Storage SDK
const spheron = new Spheron({
  apiKey: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
  apiSecret: 'YOUR_API_SECRET',
  endpoint: 'https://api.spheron.com',
});

// Explanation of parameters used in the initialization process:
// - apiKey: Your API key obtained from the Spheron developer portal.
// - apiSecret: Your API secret obtained from the Spheron developer portal.
// - endpoint: The Spheron API endpoint URL. Use 'https://api.spheron.com' for the production environment.

// Example usage:
async function myFunction() {
  try {
    // Use the spheron object to perform operations with the Spheron Storage SDK
    const result = await spheron.someOperation();
    console.log(result);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error(error);
  }
}

myFunction();

Note: Make sure to replace 'YOUR_API_KEY' and 'YOUR_API_SECRET' with your actual API key and secret obtained from the Spheron developer portal.


Sample code implementation showcasing how to use the Spheron Storage SDK to store and retrieve data in your dApp/app

import SpheronSDK

# Initialize the Spheron Storage SDK
storage = SpheronSDK.Storage()

# Set the storage configuration
storage.set_config({
    "api_key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "api_secret": "YOUR_API_SECRET",
    "api_endpoint": "https://api.spheron.com",
    "bucket_id": "YOUR_BUCKET_ID"
})

# Store data using the SDK
data = {
    "name": "John Doe",
    "age": 30,
    "email": "johndoe@example.com"
}
store_result = storage.store(data)

# Retrieve data using the SDK
retrieve_result = storage.retrieve(store_result["id"])

# Print the retrieved data
print(retrieve_result["data"])

Explanation:

  1. Import the Spheron Storage SDK library: import SpheronSDK - This imports the necessary classes and functions from the Spheron Storage SDK.

  2. Initialize the Spheron Storage SDK: storage = SpheronSDK.Storage() - This creates an instance of the Storage class provided by the SDK.

  3. Set the storage configuration: storage.set_config({...}) - This sets the configuration parameters required for the SDK to connect to the Spheron Storage API. You need to replace "YOUR_API_KEY", "YOUR_API_SECRET", and "YOUR_BUCKET_ID" with your actual API key, API secret, and bucket ID respectively. The api_endpoint parameter specifies the API endpoint URL.

  4. Store data using the SDK: store_result = storage.store(data) - This stores the provided data into the configured Spheron Storage bucket. The data variable contains the data to be stored.

  5. Retrieve data using the SDK: retrieve_result = storage.retrieve(store_result["id"]) - This retrieves the data that was previously stored. The store_result["id"] parameter specifies the ID of the stored data.

  6. Print the retrieved data: print(retrieve_result["data"]) - This prints the retrieved data to the console.

Note: Make sure to replace the placeholder values with your actual API key, API secret, and bucket ID for the code to work correctly.


Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips

When integrating the Spheron Storage SDK into your dApp/app, you may encounter some common issues. This section aims to provide troubleshooting tips for these issues, along with potential error messages, their possible causes, and suggested solutions.

1. Error: "SDK not found" or "SDK is not initialized"

Possible Causes:

  • The Spheron Storage SDK is not properly imported or included in your project.

  • The SDK initialization code is missing or incorrect.

  • The SDK is not installed or updated to the latest version.

Suggested Solutions:

  • Make sure you have imported the necessary SDK files into your project. Double-check the file paths and ensure they are correct.

  • Verify that the initialization code is present and executed before accessing any SDK functionalities.

  • Ensure that the SDK is installed and updated to the latest version. Visit the Spheron Storage SDK documentation for installation instructions.

2. Error: "Unauthorized access" or "Invalid credentials"

Possible Causes:

  • The provided API credentials or access tokens are incorrect or expired.

  • The user permissions or roles associated with the credentials are insufficient to perform the desired operations.

  • The network connection is not established or is unreliable.

Suggested Solutions:

  • Verify that the API credentials or access tokens are correct and up-to-date. Double-check the spelling and ensure there are no typos.

  • Ensure that the user associated with the credentials has the necessary permissions to perform the required operations. Check the user roles and access rights.

  • Test the network connection to ensure it is stable and reliable. Troubleshoot any network-related issues or try accessing the SDK from a different network.

3. Error: "Data not found" or "Empty response"

Possible Causes:

  • The data you are trying to retrieve does not exist or has not been stored correctly.

  • The query parameters or search criteria are incorrect or do not match any existing data.

  • There is an issue with the SDK integration or data retrieval logic in your code.

Suggested Solutions:

  • Double-check the data you are trying to retrieve and ensure it has been stored correctly. Verify the data identifiers or keys used for retrieval.

  • Review the query parameters or search criteria and make sure they are accurate and match the data you are looking for.

  • Check your code for any logical errors or issues with the integration. Ensure that the retrieval process is correctly implemented.

4. Error: "Storage limit exceeded" or "Insufficient storage space"

Possible Causes:

  • The storage space allocated for your dApp/app using the Spheron Storage SDK has reached its limit.

  • The data being stored exceeds the storage capacity available for your application.

  • There is an issue with the storage configuration or settings.

Suggested Solutions:

  • Check the storage limit set for your dApp/app and ensure it has not been exceeded. If necessary, consider upgrading your storage plan or contacting the Spheron Storage support team.

  • Review the data being stored and assess if it can be optimized or reduced in size. Consider compressing or removing unnecessary data to free up storage space.

  • Verify the storage configuration and settings in your code. Ensure that the storage capacity is correctly defined and allocated.

5. Error: "SDK integration conflicts" or "Dependency clashes"

Possible Causes:

  • There are conflicts between the Spheron Storage SDK and other libraries or dependencies used in your dApp/app.

  • The SDK version you are using is incompatible with other components or libraries in your project.

  • There are naming or namespace clashes between the SDK and other code elements.

Suggested Solutions:

  • Identify any conflicting libraries or dependencies and try to resolve the conflicts by updating or replacing them with compatible versions.

  • Ensure that the SDK version you are using is compatible with the other components and libraries in your project. Refer to the SDK documentation for compatibility information.

  • Check for any naming or namespace clashes between the SDK and other code elements. Rename conflicting elements to avoid conflicts.

These are some common issues you may encounter when integrating the Spheron Storage SDK into your dApp/app. By following the suggested solutions and troubleshooting tips provided, you should be able to resolve most integration-related issues and ensure a smooth integration process. For further guidance, refer to the official Documentation by Spheron.


How to authenticate and authorize access to the Spheron Storage SDK in your dApp/app?

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

  1. A development environment is set up for your dApp/app.

  2. Spheron Storage SDK installed in your project. You can find the installation instructions in the official documentation.

Step 1: Create a Spheron Storage Account

To start using the Spheron Storage SDK, you need to create a Spheron Storage account. Follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Spheron Storage website and click on the "Sign Up" button.

  2. Fill in the required information to create your account.

  3. Once your account is created, you will receive an email with your API key. Make sure to keep this API key secure, as it will be used for authentication.

Step 2: Authenticate and Authorize Access

To authenticate and authorize access to the Spheron Storage SDK in your dApp/app, you will need to use your API key. Here's how you can do it:

  1. Import the Spheron Storage SDK library into your project:
import SpheronStorage from 'spheron-storage-sdk';
  1. Initialize the Spheron Storage SDK with your API key:
const spheronStorage = new SpheronStorage('YOUR_API_KEY');

Replace 'YOUR_API_KEY' with your actual API key.

  1. Authenticate the SDK instance using your API key:
spheronStorage.authenticate()
  .then(() => {
    console.log('Authentication successful');
  })
  .catch((error) => {
    console.error('Authentication failed:', error);
  });

This code snippet authenticates the SDK instance using your API key and logs a success message if the authentication is successful. If there's an error, it will be logged into the console.

  1. Authorize access to the Spheron Storage SDK:
spheronStorage.authorize()
  .then(() => {
    console.log('Authorization successful');
  })
  .catch((error) => {
    console.error('Authorization failed:', error);
  });

This code snippet authorizes access to the Spheron Storage SDK and logs a success message if the authorization is successful. If there's an error, it will be logged to the console.

Step 3: Use Spheron Storage SDK in your dApp/app

Now that you have successfully authenticated and authorized access to the Spheron Storage SDK, you can start using it in your dApp/app. Here's an example of how you can store and retrieve data using the SDK:

  1. Store data in Spheron Storage:
const data = {
  key: 'myData',
  value: 'Hello, Spheron Storage!'
};

spheronStorage.store(data)
  .then(() => {
    console.log('Data stored successfully');
  })
  .catch((error) => {
    console.error('Failed to store data:', error);
  });

This code snippet stores the data object in Spheron Storage. If the storage operation is successful, it logs a success message. If there's an error, it logs the error message.

  1. Retrieve data from Spheron Storage:
const key = 'myData';

spheronStorage.retrieve(key)
  .then((data) => {
    console.log('Retrieved data:', data);
  })
  .catch((error) => {
    console.error('Failed to retrieve data:', error);
  });

This code snippet retrieves the data associated with the specified key from Spheron Storage. If the retrieval is successful, it logs the retrieved data. If there's an error, it logs the error message.


Demonstration on how to handle errors and exceptions when using the Spheron Storage SDK in your dApp/app.

import spheron_storage_sdk

# Initialize the Spheron Storage SDK
spheron_storage = spheron_storage_sdk.SpheronStorage()

try:
    # Perform some operations using the Spheron Storage SDK

    # Example 1: Uploading a file
    file_path = "/path/to/file.txt"
    spheron_storage.upload_file(file_path)

    # Example 2: Downloading a file
    file_id = "file123"
    download_path = "/path/to/save/downloaded_file.txt"
    spheron_storage.download_file(file_id, download_path)

    # Example 3: Retrieving metadata of a file
    file_id = "file123"
    metadata = spheron_storage.get_file_metadata(file_id)
    print(metadata)

    # Example 4: Deleting a file
    file_id = "file123"
    spheron_storage.delete_file(file_id)

except spheron_storage_sdk.SpheronStorageError as e:
    # Handle specific Spheron Storage SDK errors
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")

except Exception as e:
    # Handle other unexpected errors
    print(f"An unexpected error occurred: {e}")

finally:
    # Cleanup or perform any necessary actions
    spheron_storage.cleanup()

In the above code snippet, we first import the spheron_storage_sdk module and initialize the SpheronStorage object. Then, we wrap the code that uses the SDK inside a try-except block to handle any potential errors.

Inside the try block, we demonstrate four common operations: uploading a file, downloading a file, retrieving metadata of a file, and deleting a file. These are just examples, and you can modify the code according to your specific use case.

If any specific SpheronStorageError occurs, we catch it in the except block and handle it accordingly. You can customize the error handling logic based on your requirements.

If any other unexpected error occurs, it will be caught by the general Exception block, allowing you to handle it separately.

Finally, in the finally block, you can perform any necessary cleanup or additional actions before exiting the code.

Note: Remember to replace the placeholder values (file_path, file_id, download_path, etc.) with your actual values based on your dApp/app's requirements.


Best Practices for Optimizing Performance with Spheron Storage SDK

When integrating the Spheron Storage SDK into your dApp/app, it is crucial to optimize performance to ensure efficient data retrieval and storage. Here are some best practices to follow:

1. Minimize Network Latency

Reducing network latency is essential for improving the overall performance of your dApp/app. Here are a few techniques to achieve this:

  • Use Caching: Implement client-side caching to store frequently accessed data locally. This reduces the need for network requests and improves response times.

  • Batch Operations: Whenever possible, bundle multiple requests into a single batch operation. This reduces the number of network round trips, minimizing latency.

  • Optimize Data Transfer: Minimize the size of data transferred between your dApp/app and the Spheron Storage SDK. Avoid unnecessary data duplication and ensure efficient serialization and deserialization.

2. Optimize Resource Usage

Efficient resource utilization is crucial for optimal performance. Consider the following practices:

  • Connection Pooling: Establish and maintain a pool of connections to the Spheron Storage SDK. Reusing connections reduces the overhead of establishing new connections and improves performance.

  • Throttling and Rate Limiting: Implement mechanisms to control the rate of requests sent to the Spheron Storage SDK. This prevents overloading the SDK and ensures a balanced workload.

  • Optimal Data Structures: Choose appropriate data structures for storing and retrieving data. Consider the specific requirements of your dApp/app and select data structures that provide efficient access and manipulation operations.

3. Efficient Data Retrieval and Storage

To optimize data retrieval and storage speed, consider the following techniques:

  • Indexing: Use indexing to improve the efficiency of data retrieval operations. Define and maintain appropriate indexes based on the query patterns of your dApp/app.

  • Data Partitioning: Divide your data into smaller partitions based on logical boundaries. This allows for parallel processing and improves data retrieval and storage performance.

  • Data Compression: Implement data compression techniques to reduce the size of stored data. Compressed data requires less storage space and improves retrieval speed.

4. Error Handling and Exception Management

Refer to the previously completed task on error handling and exception management when using the Spheron Storage SDK. Properly handling errors and exceptions is vital for maintaining the performance and stability of your dApp/app.

Implementing these best practices will help you optimize the performance of your dApp/app when using the Spheron Storage SDK. Remember to monitor and analyze performance metrics regularly to identify areas for further optimization.


How to implement encryption and data security measures when using the Spheron Storage SDK in your dApp/app?

Step 1: Install the Spheron Storage SDK

Before we begin, make sure you have installed the Spheron Storage SDK in your project. You can find the installation instructions in the official Spheron Storage SDK documentation.

Step 2: Generate Encryption Keys

To encrypt and decrypt your data, you will need encryption keys. You can generate encryption keys using a secure random number generator. Here is an example of how to generate encryption keys in JavaScript:

// Generate a random encryption key
const generateEncryptionKey = () => {
  const keyLength = 32; // 256-bit key
  const randomBytes = crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(keyLength));
  const encryptionKey = Array.from(randomBytes, byte => String.fromCharCode(byte)).join('');
  return encryptionKey;
};

const encryptionKey = generateEncryptionKey();

Make sure to securely store the encryption key, as it will be required for decrypting the data later.

Step 3: Encrypt Data

Once you have the encryption key, you can use it to encrypt your data before storing it in the Spheron Storage platform. Here is an example of how to encrypt data using the encryption key in JavaScript:

// Encrypt data using the encryption key
const encryptData = (data, encryptionKey) => {
  const encoder = new TextEncoder();
  const dataBytes = encoder.encode(data);
  const iv = crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(12));
  const algorithm = { name: 'AES-GCM', iv: iv };
  const key = await crypto.subtle.importKey('raw', encoder.encode(encryptionKey), algorithm, false, ['encrypt']);
  const encryptedData = await crypto.subtle.encrypt(algorithm, key, dataBytes);
  const encryptedDataArray = Array.from(new Uint8Array(encryptedData));
  const encryptedDataString = encryptedDataArray.map(byte => String.fromCharCode(byte)).join('');
  const encryptedDataIV = Array.from(iv).map(byte => String.fromCharCode(byte)).join('');
  return encryptedDataIV + encryptedDataString;
};

const data = 'Your sensitive data';
const encryptedData = encryptData(data, encryptionKey);

The encryptData function takes the data and encryption key as inputs and returns the encrypted data.

Step 4: Store Encrypted Data

Now that you have encrypted the data, you can store it in the Spheron Storage platform using the Spheron Storage SDK. Refer to the official Spheron Storage SDK documentation for instructions on how to store data.

Step 5: Retrieve and Decrypt Data

When retrieving the encrypted data from the Spheron Storage platform, you need to decrypt it using the encryption key. Here is an example of how to decrypt the data in JavaScript:

// Decrypt data using the encryption key
const decryptData = (encryptedData, encryptionKey) => {
  const decoder = new TextDecoder();
  const encryptedDataIV = encryptedData.slice(0, 12);
  const encryptedDataString = encryptedData.slice(12);
  const iv = Array.from(encryptedDataIV, char => char.charCodeAt(0));
  const algorithm = { name: 'AES-GCM', iv: new Uint8Array(iv) };
  const key = await crypto.subtle.importKey('raw', encoder.encode(encryptionKey), algorithm, false, ['decrypt']);
  const encryptedDataBytes = Array.from(encryptedDataString, char => char.charCodeAt(0));
  const decryptedData = await crypto.subtle.decrypt(algorithm, key, new Uint8Array(encryptedDataBytes));
  const decryptedDataString = decoder.decode(decryptedData);
  return decryptedDataString;
};

const retrievedEncryptedData = 'Encrypted data retrieved from the Spheron Storage platform';
const decryptedData = decryptData(retrievedEncryptedData, encryptionKey);

The decryptData function takes the retrieved encrypted data and encryption key as inputs and returns the decrypted data.

By following the steps outlined, you can implement encryption and data security measures when using the Spheron Storage SDK in your dApp/app. Remember to securely store the encryption key and use it to encrypt and decrypt your data. This will ensure that your sensitive information remains secure throughout the storage and retrieval process.


Developing a sample project showcasing a real-world use case of integrating the Spheron Storage SDK in a dApp/app

Project: Secure File Storage dApp using Spheron Storage SDK

Introduction

In this project, we will develop a decentralized application (dApp) that allows users to securely store and retrieve files using the Spheron Storage SDK. The Spheron Storage SDK provides a secure and decentralized storage solution by leveraging blockchain technology.

Requirements

The main requirements of our secure file storage dApp are as follows:

  1. Users should be able to upload files securely.

  2. Uploaded files should be encrypted before storing them in the Spheron Storage.

  3. Users should be able to retrieve their files and decrypt them.

  4. The dApp should provide a user-friendly interface for interacting with the storage.

Architecture

The architecture of our secure file storage dApp will consist of the following components:

  1. Frontend: This component will provide the user interface for interacting with the dApp. It will be developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

  2. Backend: The backend will handle the file upload, encryption, decryption, and interaction with the Spheron Storage SDK. It will be developed using Node.js.

  3. Spheron Storage SDK: This is the main component that interacts with the Spheron Storage. It provides functions for storing and retrieving files securely.

Implementation

1. Frontend

The frontend will consist of an HTML form for file upload and a display area to show the uploaded files. We will use JavaScript to handle the file upload and interaction with the backend.

<!-- index.html -->
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Secure File Storage dApp</title>
    <script src="frontend.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Secure File Storage dApp</h1>
    <input type="file" id="fileInput">
    <button onclick="uploadFile()">Upload</button>
    <div id="fileList"></div>
</body>
</html>

2. Backend

The backend will handle the file upload, encryption, decryption, and interaction with the Spheron Storage SDK. We will use the spheron-sdk package to interact with the Spheron Storage.

// backend.js
const SpheronSDK = require('spheron-sdk');

// Initialize the Spheron Storage SDK
const spheron = new SpheronSDK();

// Function to upload a file
async function uploadFile(file) {
    // Read the file data
    const fileData = await readFile(file);

    // Encrypt the file data
    const encryptedData = encryptData(fileData);

    // Store the encrypted data in the Spheron Storage
    const fileId = await spheron.store(encryptedData);

    // Return the file ID
    return fileId;
}

// Function to retrieve a file
async function retrieveFile(fileId) {
    // Retrieve the encrypted data from the Spheron Storage
    const encryptedData = await spheron.retrieve(fileId);

    // Decrypt the data
    const decryptedData = decryptData(encryptedData);

    // Return the decrypted data
    return decryptedData;
}

// Helper function to read file data
function readFile(file) {
    return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
        const reader = new FileReader();
        reader.onload = (event) => resolve(event.target.result);
        reader.onerror = (event) => reject(event.target.error);
        reader.readAsArrayBuffer(file);
    });
}

// Helper function to encrypt data
function encryptData(data) {
    // Implement your encryption logic here
    // Return the encrypted data
}

// Helper function to decrypt data
function decryptData(data) {
    // Implement your decryption logic here
    // Return the decrypted data
}

3. Integration with the Spheron Storage SDK

To integrate the Spheron Storage SDK, we need to install the spheron-sdk package and configure it with the required credentials.

$ npm install spheron-sdk
// backend.js
const SpheronSDK = require('spheron-sdk');

// Initialize the Spheron Storage SDK with your credentials
const spheron = new SpheronSDK({
    apiKey: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
    apiSecret: 'YOUR_API_SECRET',
    storageEndpoint: 'https://spheron-storage.com/api'
});

// Rest of the code remains the same

Conclusion of this project

In this project, we developed a secure file storage dApp using the Spheron Storage SDK. This dApp allows users to securely upload and retrieve files by encrypting and decrypting the data using the Spheron Storage SDK. The Spheron Storage SDK provides a secure and decentralized storage solution by leveraging blockchain technology.

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Written by

Eshank Tyagi
Eshank Tyagi