What is a decentralized application (DApp)?
Answer
A decentralized application (DApp) is an application that runs on a decentralized network (typically a blockchain) rather than a centralized server. Unlike traditional apps where a company controls the backend, DApps use smart contracts as the backend — code that runs autonomously on the blockchain. Components: (1) Smart contracts — backend logic on the blockchain (replaces servers); (2) Frontend — typically a web interface (React/Vue app) that interacts with smart contracts via a Web3 provider (MetaMask, ethers.js, web3.js); (3) Decentralized storage — IPFS or Arweave for storing files/media (blockchain is too expensive for large data); (4) Wallet integration — users authenticate with their wallet (no username/password). DApp properties: permissionless (anyone can use), censorship-resistant (no single entity can shut it down), trustless (rules enforced by code, not a company). Examples: Uniswap (DEX), Aave (lending), OpenSea (NFT marketplace), Compound (money market).