Solana Changelog: Disabling Rent Collection, GraphQL Integration, and Confidential Transfers

In the latest episode of the Solana Changelog, hosts Jacob and Nick delve into some exciting developments within the Solana ecosystem. This week's update covers three major topics: a proposal to disable rent collection, the introduction of a GraphQL resolver for the Solana RPC, and a new guide for implementing confidential transfers. Let's explore these developments in detail and understand their implications for the Solana network and its developers.

SIMD-84: Disabling Rent Collection

One of the most significant proposals discussed in this changelog is SIMD-84, which aims to disable rent fee collection within the Solana runtime. This proposal marks a pivotal moment in Solana's evolution, reflecting how far the network has come since its inception.

The History of Rent on Solana

When Solana was first created, users had to pay rent upfront for all the data they stored on-chain. This system was designed to incentivize efficient use of blockchain storage and prevent spam. However, as the network evolved, this model changed.

The Current Rent Model

Under the current system, when new accounts are created, users must pay two years' worth of rent upfront. This change has significantly reduced the number of accounts that are not rent-exempt, leaving only a small number of older accounts still subject to rent collection.

The Proposal to Remove Rent Collection

As the number of non-rent-exempt accounts continues to dwindle, the Solana team has proposed removing the rent collection feature entirely from the codebase. This move would streamline the Solana runtime and potentially improve overall network efficiency.

Jacob comments on this development:

"It's really cool that it's kind of like lining up that it's been what roughly two years since rent was disabled to where you could create non-rent exempt accounts. And now that they can finally remove this, they can't. It's cool to see."

The Future of "Rent" on Solana

While the removal of rent collection is a significant step, it raises questions about the terminology used in the Solana ecosystem. Jacob suggests that the term "rent" might need to be reconsidered:

"It's kind of getting to the point where I would personally like to see rent changed as like what it's called because it's my house more of a deposit. And the concept of an actual rent is different."

This observation highlights the evolving nature of Solana's economic model and the need for terminology that accurately reflects the network's operations.

Feature Implementation for Rent Collection Disabling

In line with the SIMD-84 proposal, a new feature has been merged into the Solana codebase. This feature will allow for the disabling of rent collection when the time is right. The commit highlighted in this changelog lays the groundwork for this future change.

This proactive approach demonstrates the Solana team's commitment to continuously improving the network's efficiency and adapting to the changing needs of its users and developers.

GraphQL Resolver for Solana RPC

Another exciting development discussed in the changelog is the work being done on a GraphQL resolver for the Solana RPC (Remote Procedure Call). This project, spearheaded by Joe from Solana Labs, aims to enhance the flexibility and efficiency of data retrieval from the Solana blockchain.

What is GraphQL?

GraphQL is a query language for APIs that allows clients to request exactly the data they need, nothing more and nothing less. This approach can lead to more efficient data transfers and improved performance, especially for applications with complex data requirements.

The Current JSON RPC System

Currently, Solana uses a JSON RPC system for communication between clients and the blockchain. While functional, this system sometimes returns more data than necessary, which can be inefficient for certain use cases.

Benefits of the GraphQL Resolver

The new GraphQL resolver is being built on top of the existing JSON RPC system. This addition will provide several benefits:

1. Familiarity for GraphQL users: Developers who are more comfortable with GraphQL can now interact with Solana using their preferred query language.

2. Precise data retrieval: With GraphQL, developers can specify exactly which data fields they need, reducing unnecessary data transfer and processing.

3. Improved efficiency: By only requesting and receiving the required data, applications can potentially see performance improvements, especially for complex queries.

Current Status and Call for Feedback

Joe, the developer working on this project, has been actively seeking feedback from the community. He's shared the current query structure on Twitter and is encouraging developers to provide input.

For those interested in exploring or contributing to this project, the code is available in the Solana web3.js repository, specifically in the RPC-GraphQL package. Developers are encouraged to review the code, create issues, or provide feedback directly to Joe.

This open approach to development highlights the collaborative nature of the Solana ecosystem and the team's commitment to creating tools that truly serve the needs of its developer community.

Confidential Transfers: A New Frontier for Solana

The third major topic discussed in this changelog revolves around confidential transfers, a cutting-edge feature that's part of the upcoming token program upgrade on Solana.

Token 2022 and Confidential Transfers

The new token program, often referred to as Token 2022 or "super tokens," introduces several advanced features to the Solana ecosystem. One of the most intriguing of these is the ability to perform confidential transfers.

John Chinkway's Breakpoint Demo

At the recent Breakpoint conference, John Chinkway gave a demonstration of the capabilities of the new token program, including confidential transfers. This demo sparked significant interest in the developer community.

The Confidential Transfers Quick Start Guide

Following the Breakpoint demo, a quick start guide for confidential transfers has been published in the SPL (Solana Program Library) documentation. Nick highlights the importance of this resource:

"There's all this talk about token 22, super tokens, whatever this new token program is gonna be called. And John Chinkway actually did his talk at breakpoint, get some demo of all the capabilities that the new token program has. And he actually published a quick start guide for confidential tokens."

This guide provides developers with a hands-on introduction to implementing confidential transfers using the token CLI (Command Line Interface).

Important Note for Developers

While the guide is a valuable resource, Jacob emphasizes a crucial point for developers looking to experiment with confidential transfers:

"There's one thing to note. Make sure that you'll be running this on local 'cause the required features to run these are not activated anywhere, like not DevNet, not TestNet. So just make sure when you're doing this, running on local, otherwise it will not work."

This reminder underscores the cutting-edge nature of these features and the importance of proper testing environments in blockchain development.

The Growing Developer Interest in Solana

The changelog concludes with an important message for developers interested in contributing to the Solana ecosystem. Jacob emphasizes the significant developer interest in Solana and offers advice for those looking to get involved:

"There is a large amount of developer interest on Solana. So if you are a developer that wants to get involved or contribute within the Solana ecosystem, what I'd recommend is create content based off of what you're doing. If you're building a project, if you're building a game, if you're building an application, write about it as you build it. Build in public, basically."

The Importance of Building in Public

Building in public is a concept that has gained traction in the developer community, especially in the blockchain space. By sharing their progress, challenges, and learnings, developers can:

1. Contribute to the collective knowledge of the Solana community
2. Attract interest and potential collaborators for their projects
3. Help onboard new developers by providing real-world examples and insights

Jacob elaborates on the benefits of this approach:

"If you do that, what you'll help out is onboarding even more developers on Solana because they'll see, hey, that's a really cool game you're making or that's a really cool app you're making. And they also have a better understanding of how you're actually doing it."

Resources for New Solana Developers

For developers new to the Solana ecosystem, Jacob offers some valuable resources:

1. Twitter: Reach out to @solana_devs for assistance and community engagement.
2. Solana Stack Exchange: A platform where developers can ask questions and receive help from the community.

These resources underscore the supportive nature of the Solana developer community and the ecosystem's commitment to growth and collaboration.

Conclusion: A Week of Significant Progress

This week's Solana Changelog highlights several important developments that showcase the network's continuous evolution and the team's commitment to improving the developer experience. From the proposed removal of rent collection to the introduction of GraphQL integration and the advancement of confidential transfers, Solana is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in blockchain technology.

These changes not only improve the efficiency and capabilities of the Solana network but also open up new possibilities for developers and users alike. As the ecosystem continues to grow and mature, it's clear that Solana is positioning itself as a leading platform for innovative blockchain applications.

The emphasis on community engagement, whether through seeking feedback on new features or encouraging developers to build in public, demonstrates the collaborative spirit that drives Solana's progress. As these developments continue to unfold, the future looks bright for Solana and its growing community of developers and users.

Facts + Figures

• SIMD-84 proposes disabling rent fee collection within the Solana runtime.
• Currently, new Solana accounts must pay two years' worth of rent upfront.
• A feature to disable rent collection has been merged into the Solana codebase.
• Joe from Solana Labs is developing a GraphQL resolver for the Solana RPC.
• The GraphQL resolver is being built on top of the existing JSON RPC system.
• John Chinkway demonstrated confidential transfers at the Breakpoint conference.
• A quick start guide for confidential tokens has been published in the SPL documentation.
• Confidential transfer features are currently only available for local testing, not on DevNet or TestNet.
• There is a significant amount of developer interest in the Solana ecosystem.
• Developers are encouraged to "build in public" and share their progress when working on Solana projects.
• @solana_devs on Twitter and Solana Stack Exchange are resources available for new Solana developers.

Questions Answered

What is SIMD-84 proposing for Solana?

SIMD-84 is proposing to disable rent fee collection within the Solana runtime. This proposal aims to remove the rent collection feature entirely from the codebase, as the number of non-rent-exempt accounts has significantly decreased over time. The change would streamline the Solana runtime and potentially improve overall network efficiency by eliminating a process that is becoming less relevant as the network evolves.

How has Solana's rent system changed over time?

Solana's rent system has undergone significant changes since the network's inception. Initially, users had to pay rent upfront for all data stored on-chain. This evolved into the current system where new accounts must pay two years' worth of rent upfront, making them rent-exempt. The proposed change would further evolve this system by potentially removing rent collection altogether, reflecting the network's maturation and the decreasing relevance of the original rent model.

What is the new GraphQL resolver for Solana RPC?

The new GraphQL resolver for Solana RPC is a tool being developed by Joe from Solana Labs. It's designed to sit on top of the existing JSON RPC system and allow developers to use GraphQL queries to interact with the Solana blockchain. This resolver will enable more precise data retrieval, allowing developers to request exactly the data they need, potentially improving efficiency and reducing unnecessary data transfer. It's particularly beneficial for developers who are more familiar with GraphQL than with JSON RPC.

What are confidential transfers in Solana?

Confidential transfers are a new feature being introduced as part of the upcoming token program upgrade on Solana, often referred to as Token 2022 or "super tokens". This feature allows for transactions to be conducted with enhanced privacy, where certain details of the transfer are kept confidential. A quick start guide has been published in the SPL documentation to help developers implement and experiment with confidential transfers using the token CLI.

How can developers get involved with the Solana ecosystem?

Developers can get involved with the Solana ecosystem in several ways. They are encouraged to "build in public" by creating content about their projects as they develop them, whether it's games, applications, or other blockchain solutions. This approach helps onboard new developers and contributes to the collective knowledge of the community. Developers can also reach out for assistance on Twitter (@solana_devs) or ask questions on the Solana Stack Exchange. Additionally, they can contribute to ongoing projects, such as providing feedback on the new GraphQL resolver or exploring new features like confidential transfers.

What is the current status of the rent collection feature in Solana?

Currently, rent collection is still active in Solana, but it's becoming increasingly obsolete. Most new accounts are created as rent-exempt by paying two years of rent upfront. There's a small number of older accounts that are still subject to rent collection, but this number is dwindling. A feature has been merged into the Solana codebase that will allow for the disabling of rent collection when the time is right, paving the way for the potential complete removal of this feature in the future.

Where can developers test confidential transfers in Solana?

Developers can test confidential transfers in Solana only in a local development environment. The required features for confidential transfers are not currently activated on DevNet or TestNet. This limitation emphasizes the cutting-edge nature of these features and the importance of proper testing environments in blockchain development. Developers are advised to ensure they are running their tests locally to successfully experiment with confidential transfers.

What resources are available for learning about new Solana features?

There are several resources available for learning about new Solana features. The SPL documentation provides guides like the confidential transfers quick start guide. The Solana GitHub repository, particularly the web3.js repo and its RPC-GraphQL package, offers insights into ongoing developments. The Solana Changelog podcast itself is a valuable resource for staying updated on the latest changes. Additionally, conferences like Breakpoint often feature demonstrations of new capabilities, and developers are encouraged to engage with the community on platforms like Twitter and Solana Stack Exchange for the most up-to-date information and discussions.