[RFC] DSL for ISI

[appetrosyan]

Feature request

Create a domain-specific language that can be used to 1:1 serialize/deserialize into ISI, but allow more expressive syntax. This DSL needs to handle the following uses:

• Creation of genesis blocks.
• Input to iroha_client_cli.
• proc macro for internal use (Optional)
• Compiler for SDK usage (Optional)
• Creation of non-performance critical smartcontracts
• Creation of trigger filters
• Querying

Motivation

Based on internal feedback it was found that most uses of WASM can be covered by the already existing ISI infrastructure. Given that the work needed to upgrade internal ISI is zero, while WASM, owing to its non-backwards-compatible nature requires an update, the DSL has the potential for major time savings.

The tools already present for Iroha thus obtain a double use and become useful outside the tutorial scope:

• The iroha_client_cli is no longer tied to clap for producing meaningful transactions.
• kagami can produce more than the most basic genesis block. In fact it can be used in conjunction with iroha_client_cli to design and submit arbitrarily complex ISI-based smartcontracts.
• The DSL could include an option to compile to WASM.
• The DSL could include an option to include inline Rust for WASM.
• The DSL can significantly reduce the overhead of creating the correct instructions. Namely, one no longer requires to know the full event hierarchy to produce a suitable event filter.
• The DSL removes the need to unit test the iroha_client library. Instead iroha_client_cli can be used.

The DSL is a rather large undertaking, but it has the potential of brining great benefits and widen the adoption of ISI-based smartcontracts.

Who can help?

@appetrosyan

[appetrosyan]

As part of the Hyperledger internship this RFC will be co-designed.