path: root/solidity.html.markdown

---
language: Solidity
filename: learnSolidity.sol
contributors:
  - ["Nemil Dalal", "https://www.nemil.com"]
  - ["Joseph Chow", ""]
---

Solidity lets you program on [Ethereum](https://www.ethereum.org/), a
blockchain-based virtual machine that allows the creation and
execution of smart contracts, without needing centralized or trusted parties.

Solidity is a statically typed, contract programming language that has
similarities to Javascript and C. Like objects in OOP, each contract contains
state variables, functions, and common data types. Contract-specific features
include modifier (guard) clauses, event notifiers for listeners, and custom
global variables.

Some Ethereum contract examples include crowdfunding, voting, and blind auctions.

As Solidity and Ethereum are under active development, experimental or beta
features are explicitly marked, and subject to change. Pull requests welcome.

```javascript
// First, a simple Bank contract
// Allows deposits, withdrawals, and balance checks

// simple_bank.sol (note .sol extension)
/* **** START EXAMPLE **** */

// Start with Natspec comment (the three slashes)
// used for documentation - and as descriptive data for UI elements/actions

/// @title SimpleBank
/// @author nemild

/* 'contract' has similarities to 'class' in other languages (class variables,
inheritance, etc.) */
contract SimpleBank { // CamelCase
    // Declare state variables outside function, persist through life of contract

    // dictionary that maps addresses to balances
    mapping (address => uint) private balances;

    // "private" means that other contracts can't directly query balances
    // but data is still viewable to other parties on blockchain

    address public owner;
    // 'public' makes externally readable (not writeable) by users or contracts

    // Events - publicize actions to external listeners
    event DepositMade(address accountAddress, uint amount);

    // Constructor, can receive one or many variables here; only one allowed
    function AcmeBank() {
        // msg provides details about the message that's sent to the contract
        // msg.sender is contract caller (address of contract creator)
        owner = msg.sender;
    }

    /// @notice Deposit ether into bank
    /// @return The balance of the user after the deposit is made
    function deposit() public returns (uint) {
        balances[msg.sender] += msg.value;
        // no "this." or "self." required with state variable
        // all values initialized to 0 by default

        DepositMade(msg.sender, msg.value); // fire event

        return balances[msg.sender];
    }

    /// @notice Withdraw ether from bank
    /// @dev This does not return any excess ether sent to it
    /// @param withdrawAmount amount you want to withdraw
    /// @return The balance remaining for the user
    function withdraw(uint withdrawAmount) public returns (uint remainingBal) {
        if(balances[msg.sender] >= withdrawAmount) {
            balances[msg.sender] -= withdrawAmount;

            if (!msg.sender.send(withdrawAmount)) {
                // to be safe, may be sending to contract that
                // has overridden 'send' which may then fail
                balances[msg.sender] += withdrawAmount;
            }
        }

        return balances[msg.sender];
    }

    /// @notice Get balance
    /// @return The balance of the user
    // 'constant' prevents function from editing state variables;
    // allows function to run locally/off blockchain
    function balance() constant returns (uint) {
        return balances[msg.sender];
    }

    // Fallback function - Called if other functions don't match call or
    // sent ether without data
    // Typically, called when invalid data is sent
    // Added so ether sent to this contract is reverted if the contract fails
    // otherwise, the sender's money is transferred to contract
    function () {
        throw; // throw reverts state to before call
    }
}
// ** END EXAMPLE **


// Now, the basics of Solidity

// 1. DATA TYPES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
// uint used for currency amount (there are no doubles
//  or floats) and for dates (in unix time)
uint x;

// int of 256 bits, cannot be changed after instantiation
int constant a = 8;

// with 'constant', compiler replaces each occurrence with actual value
int256 constant a = 8; // same effect as line above, here the 256 is explicit
uint constant VERSION_ID = 0x123A1; // A hex constant

// Be careful that you don't overflow, and protect against attacks that do

// For int and uint, can explicitly set space in steps of 8 up to 256
// e.g., int8, int16, int24
uint8 b;
int64 c;
uint248 e;

// No random functions built in, use other contracts for randomness

// Type casting
int x = int(b);

bool b = true; // or do 'var b = true;' for inferred typing

// Addresses - holds 20 byte/160 bit Ethereum addresses
// No arithmetic allowed
address public owner;

// Types of accounts:
// Contract account: address set on create (func of creator address, num transactions sent)
// External Account: (person/external entity): address created from public key

// Add 'public' field to indicate publicly/externally accessible
// a getter is automatically created, but NOT a setter

// All addresses can be sent ether
owner.send(SOME_BALANCE); // returns false on failure
if (owner.send) {} // typically wrap in 'if', as contract addresses have
// functions have executed on send and can fail

// can override send by defining your own

// Can check balance
owner.balance; // the balance of the owner (user or contract)


// Bytes available from 1 to 32
byte a; // byte is same as bytes1
bytes2 b;
bytes32 c;

// Dynamically sized bytes
bytes m; // A special array, same as byte[] array (but packed tightly)
// More expensive than byte1-byte32, so use those when possible

// same as bytes, but does not allow length or index access (for now)
string n = "hello"; // stored in UTF8, note double quotes, not single
// string utility functions to be added in future
// prefer bytes32/bytes, as UTF8 uses more storage

// Type inferrence
// var does inferred typing based on first assignment,
// can't be used in functions parameters
var a = true;
// use carefully, inference may provide wrong type
// e.g., an int8, when a counter needs to be int16

// var can be used to assign function to variable
function a(uint x) returns (uint) {
    return x * 2;
}
var f = a;
f(22); // call

// by default, all values are set to 0 on instantiation

// Delete can be called on most types
// (does NOT destroy value, but sets value to 0, the initial value)
uint x = 5;


// Destructuring/Tuples
(x, y) = (2, 7); // assign/swap multiple value


// 2. DATA STRUCTURES
// Arrays
bytes32[5] nicknames; // static array
bytes32[] names; // dynamic array
uint newLength = names.push("John"); // adding returns new length of the array
// Length
names.length; // get length
names.length = 1; // lengths can be set (for dynamic arrays in storage only)

// multidimensional array
uint x[][5]; // arr with 5 dynamic array elements (opp order of most languages)

// Dictionaries (any type to any other type)
mapping (string => uint) public balances;
balances["charles"] = 1;
console.log(balances["ada"]); // is 0, all non-set key values return zeroes
// 'public' allows following from another contract
contractName.balances("claude"); // returns 1
// 'public' created a getter (but not setter) like the following:
function balances(address _account) returns (uint balance) {
    return balances[_account];
}

// Nested mappings
mapping (address => mapping (address => uint)) public custodians;

// To delete
delete balances["John"];
delete balances; // sets all elements to 0

// Unlike other languages, CANNOT iterate through all elements in
// mapping, without knowing source keys - can build data structure
// on top to do this

// Structs and enums
struct Bank {
    address owner;
    uint balance;
}
Bank b = Bank({
    owner: msg.sender,
    balance: 5
});
// or
Bank c = Bank(msg.sender, 5);

c.amount = 5; // set to new value
delete b;
// sets to initial value, set all variables in struct to 0, except mappings

// Enums
enum State { Created, Locked, Inactive }; // often used for state machine
State public state; // Declare variable from enum
state = State.Created;
// enums can be explicitly converted to ints
uint createdState = uint(State.Created); //  0

// Data locations: Memory vs. storage vs. stack - all complex types (arrays,
// structs) have a data location
// 'memory' does not persist, 'storage' does
// Default is 'storage' for local and state variables; 'memory' for func params
// stack holds small local variables

// for most types, can explicitly set which data location to use


// 3. Simple operators
// Comparisons, bit operators and arithmetic operators are provided
// exponentiation: **
// exclusive or: ^
// bitwise negation: ~


// 4. Global Variables of note
// ** this **
this; // address of contract
// often used at end of contract life to send remaining balance to party
this.balance;
this.someFunction(); // calls func externally via call, not via internal jump

// ** msg - Current message received by the contract ** **
msg.sender; // address of sender
msg.value; // amount of ether provided to this contract in wei
msg.data; // bytes, complete call data
msg.gas; // remaining gas

// ** tx - This transaction **
tx.origin; // address of sender of the transaction
tx.gasprice; // gas price of the transaction

// ** block - Information about current block **
now // current time (approximately), alias for block.timestamp (uses Unix time)
block.number; // current block number
block.difficulty; // current block difficulty
block.blockhash(1); // returns bytes32, only works for most recent 256 blocks
block.gasLimit();

// ** storage - Persistent storage hash **
storage['abc'] = 'def'; // maps 256 bit words to 256 bit words


// 4. FUNCTIONS AND MORE
// A. Functions
// Simple function
function increment(uint x) returns (uint) {
    x += 1;
    return x;
}

// Functions can return many arguments, and by specifying returned arguments
// name don't need to explicitly return
function increment(uint x, uint y) returns (uint x, uint y) {
    x += 1;
    y += 1;
}
// Call previous functon
uint (a,b) = increment(1,1);

// 'constant' indicates that function does not/cannot change persistent vars
// Constant function execute locally, not on blockchain
uint y;

function increment(uint x) constant returns (uint x) {
    x += 1;
    y += 1; // this line would fail
    // y is a state variable, and can't be changed in a constant function
}

// 'Function Visibility specifiers'
// These can be placed where 'constant' is, including:
// public - visible externally and internally (default)
// external
// private - only visible in the current contract
// internal - only visible in current contract, and those deriving from it

// Functions hoisted - and can assign a function to a variable
function a() {
    var z = b;
    b();
}

function b() {

}


// Prefer loops to recursion (max call stack depth is 1024)

// B. Events
// Events are notify external parties; easy to search and
// access events from outside blockchain (with lightweight clients)
// typically declare after contract parameters

// Declare
event Sent(address from, address to, uint amount); // note capital first letter

// Call
Sent(from, to, amount);

// For an external party (a contract or external entity), to watch:
Coin.Sent().watch({}, '', function(error, result) {
    if (!error) {
        console.log("Coin transfer: " + result.args.amount +
            " coins were sent from " + result.args.from +
            " to " + result.args.to + ".");
        console.log("Balances now:\n" +
            "Sender: " + Coin.balances.call(result.args.from) +
            "Receiver: " + Coin.balances.call(result.args.to));
    }
}
// Common paradigm for one contract to depend on another (e.g., a
// contract that depends on current exchange rate provided by another)

// C. Modifiers
// Modifiers validate inputs to functions such as minimal balance or user auth;
// similar to guard clause in other languages

// '_' (underscore) often included as last line in body, and indicates
// function being called should be placed there
modifier onlyAfter(uint _time) { if (now <= _time) throw; _ }
modifier onlyOwner { if (msg.sender == owner) _ }
// commonly used with state machines
modifier onlyIfState (State currState) { if (currState != State.A) _ }

// Append right after function declaration
function changeOwner(newOwner)
onlyAfter(someTime)
onlyOwner()
onlyIfState(State.A)
{
    owner = newOwner;
}

// underscore can be included before end of body,
// but explicitly returning will skip, so use carefully
modifier checkValue(uint amount) {
    _
    if (msg.value > amount) {
        msg.sender.send(amount - msg.value);
    }
}


// 6. BRANCHING AND LOOPS

// All basic logic blocks work - including if/else, for, while, break, continue
// return - but no switch

// Syntax same as javascript, but no type conversion from non-boolean
// to boolean (comparison operators must be used to get the boolean val)


// 7. OBJECTS/CONTRACTS

// A. Calling external contract
contract infoFeed {
    function info() returns (uint ret) { return 42; }
}

contract Consumer {
    InfoFeed feed; // points to contract on blockchain

    // Set feed to existing contract instance
    function setFeed(address addr) {
        // automatically cast, be careful; constructor is not called
        feed = InfoFeed(addr);
    }

    // Set feed to new instance of contract
    function createNewFeed() {
        feed = new InfoFeed(); // constructor called
    }

    function callFeed() {
        // final parentheses call contract, can optionally add
        // custom ether value or gas
        feed.info.value(10).gas(800)();
    }
}

// B. Inheritance

// Order matters, last inherited contract (i.e., 'def') can override parts of
// previously inherited contracts
contract MyContract is abc, def("a custom argument to def") {

// Override function
    function z() {
        if (msg.sender == owner) {
            def.z(); // call overridden function from def
            super.z(); // call immediate parent overriden function
        }
    }
}

// abstract function
function someAbstractFunction(uint x);
// cannot be compiled, so used in base/abstract contracts
// that are then implemented

// C. Import

import "filename";
import "github.com/ethereum/dapp-bin/library/iterable_mapping.sol";

// Importing under active development
// Cannot currently be done at command line


// 8. OTHER KEYWORDS

// A. Throwing
// Throwing
throw; // reverts unused money to sender, state is reverted
// Can't currently catch

// Common design pattern is:
if (!addr.send(123)) {
    throw;
}

// B. Selfdestruct
// selfdestruct current contract, sending funds to address (often creator)
selfdestruct(SOME_ADDRESS);

// removes storage/code from current/future blocks
// helps thin clients, but previous data persists in blockchain

// Common pattern, lets owner end the contract and receive remaining funds
function remove() {
    if(msg.sender == creator) { // Only let the contract creator do this
        selfdestruct(creator); // Makes contract inactive, returns funds
    }
}

// May want to deactivate contract manually, rather than selfdestruct
// (ether sent to selfdestructed contract is lost)


// 9. CONTRACT DESIGN NOTES

// A. Obfuscation
// Remember all variables are publicly viewable on blockchain, so
// anything that needs privacy needs to be obfuscated (e.g., hashed)

// Steps: 1. Commit to something, 2. Reveal commitment
sha3("some_bid_amount", "some secret"); // commit

// call contract's reveal function showing bid plus secret that hashes to SHA3
reveal(100, "mySecret");

// B. Storage optimization
// Writing to blockchain can be expensive, as data stored forever  encourages
// smart ways to use memory (eventually, compilation will be better, but for now
// benefits to planning data structures - and storing min amount in blockchain)

// Cost can often be high for items like multidimensional arrays
// (cost is for storing data - not declaring unfilled variables)

// C. Cannot restrict human or computer from reading contents of
// transaction or transaction's state

// When 'private' specified, indicating that other *contracts* can't read
// the data directly - any other party can still read the data in blockchain

// D. All data to start of time is stored in blockchain, so
// anyone can observe all previous data and changes

// E. Cron
// Contracts must be manually called to handle time-based scheduling; can create
// external code to do, or provide incentives (ether) for others to do for you

// F. State machines
// see example below for State enum and inState modifier


// *** EXAMPLE: A crowdfunding example (broadly similar to Kickstarter) ***
// ** START EXAMPLE **

// CrowdFunder.sol

/// @title CrowdFunder
/// @author nemild
contract CrowdFunder {
    // Variables set on create by creator
    address public creator;
    address public fundRecipient; // creator may be different than recipient
    uint public minimumToRaise; // required to tip, else everyone gets refund
    string campaignUrl;

    // Data structures
    enum State {
        Fundraising,
        ExpiredRefundPending,
        Successful,
        ExpiredRefundComplete
    }
    struct Contribution {
        uint amount;
        address contributor;
    }

    // State variables
    State public state = State.Fundraising; // initialize on create
    uint public totalRaised;
    uint public raiseBy;
    Contribution[] contributions;

    event fundingReceived(address addr, uint amount, uint currentTotal);
    event allRefundsSent();
    event winnerPaid(address winnerAddress);

    modifier inState(State _state) {
        if (state != _state) throw;
        _
    }

    modifier isCreator() {
        if (msg.sender != creator) throw;
        _
    }

    modifier atEndOfLifecycle() {
        if(state != State.ExpiredRefundComplete && state != State.Successful) {
            throw;
        }
    }

    function CrowdFunder(
        uint timeInHoursForFundraising,
        string _campaignUrl,
        address _fundRecipient,
        uint _minimumToRaise)
    {
        creator = msg.sender;
        fundRecipient = _fundRecipient;
        campaignUrl = _campaignUrl;
        minimumToRaise = _minimumToRaise;
        raiseBy = now + (timeInHoursForFundraising * 1 hours);
    }

    function contribute()
    public
    inState(State.Fundraising)
    {
        contributions.push(
            Contribution({
                amount: msg.value,
                contributor: msg.sender
            }) // use array, so can iterate
        );
        totalRaised += msg.value;

        fundingReceived(msg.sender, msg.value, totalRaised);

        checkIfFundingCompleteOrExpired();
    }

    function checkIfFundingCompleteOrExpired() {
        if (totalRaised > minimumToRaise) {
            state = State.Successful;
            payOut();

            // could incentivize sender who initiated state change here
        } else if ( now > raiseBy )  {
            state = State.ExpiredRefundPending;
            refundAll();
        }
    }

    function payOut()
    public
    inState(State.Successful)
    {
        if(!fundRecipient.send(this.balance)) {
            throw;
        }

        winnerPaid(fundRecipient);
    }

    function refundAll()
    public
    inState(State.ExpiredRefundPending)
    {
        uint length = contributions.length;
        for (uint i = 0; i < length; i++) {
            if(!contributions[i].contributor.send(contributions[i].amount)) {
                throw;
            }
        }

        allRefundsSent();
        state = State.ExpiredRefundComplete;
    }

    function removeContract()
    public
    isCreator()
    atEndOfLifecycle()
    {
        selfdestruct(msg.sender);
    }

    function () { throw; }
}
// ** END EXAMPLE **


// 10. OTHER NATIVE FUNCTIONS

// Currency units
// Currency is defined using wei, smallest unit of Ether
uint minAmount = 1 wei;
uint a = 1 finney; // 1 ether == 1000 finney
// Other units, see: http://ether.fund/tool/converter

// Time units
1 == 1 second
1 minutes == 60 seconds

// Can multiply a variable times unit, as units are not stored in a variable
uint x = 5;
(x * 1 days); // 5 days

// Careful about leap seconds/years with equality statements for time
// (instead, prefer greater than/less than)

// Cryptography
// All strings passed are concatenated before hash action
sha3("ab", "cd");
ripemd160("abc");
sha256("def");


// 11. LOW LEVEL FUNCTIONS
// call - low level, not often used, does not provide type safety
successBoolean = someContractAddress.call('function_name', 'arg1', 'arg2');

// callcode - Code at target address executed in *context* of calling contract
// provides library functionality
someContractAddress.callcode('function_name');


// 12. STYLE NOTES
// Based on Python's PEP8 style guide

// 4 spaces for indentation
// Two lines separate contract declarations (and other top level declarations)
// Avoid extraneous spaces in parentheses
// Can omit curly braces for one line statement (if, for, etc)
// else should be placed on own line


// 13. NATSPEC COMENTS
// used for documentation, commenting, and external UIs

// Contract natspec - always above contract definition
/// @title Contract title
/// @author Author name

// Function natspec
/// @notice information about what function does; shown when function to execute
/// @dev Function documentation for developer

// Function parameter/return value natspec
/// @param someParam Some description of what the param does
/// @return Description of the return value
```

## Additional resources
- [Solidity Docs](https://ethereum.github.io/solidity/docs/home/)
- [Solidity Style Guide](https://ethereum.github.io/solidity//docs/style-guide/): Ethereum's style guide is heavily derived from Python's [pep8](https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0008/) style guide.
- [Browser-based Solidity Editor](http://chriseth.github.io/browser-solidity/)
- [Gitter Chat room](https://gitter.im/ethereum/go-ethereum)
- [Modular design strategies for Ethereum Contracts](https://docs.erisindustries.com/tutorials/solidity/)
- Editor Snippets ([Ultisnips format](https://gist.github.com/nemild/98343ce6b16b747788bc))

## Sample contracts
- [Dapp Bin](https://github.com/ethereum/dapp-bin)
- [Solidity Baby Step Contracts](https://github.com/fivedogit/solidity-baby-steps/tree/master/contracts)
- [Consensys Contracts](https://github.com/ConsenSys/dapp-store-contracts)
- [State of Dapps](http://dapps.ethercasts.com/)

## Information purposefully excluded
- Libraries

## Style
- Python's [PEP8](https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0008/) is used as the baseline style guide, including its general philosophy)

## Future To Dos
- New keywords: protected, inheritable

Feel free to send a pull request with any edits - or email nemild -/at-/ gmail