Building a blockchain simulation using the Idris programming language

Abstract

The primary aim of this work is to create a program simulating a private distributed blockchain using the functional programming language Idris. This simulation is implemented such that a rock-paper-scissors game can be played between any two users of the blockchain via the use of smart contracts. Our motivation is to assert, using relevant features of Idris, that such an implementation possesses some of the accepted properties of blockchains. This paper first presents some differences between our implementation and most real-world blockchains. Next the Idris language and some of its features are discussed, focusing on how the language is used to implement the simulation. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing Idris instead of an imperative programming language are examined.