Installation Prerequisites

Before deploying the backend, you must ensure that the required dependencies are installed. The following libraries and tools are necessary:

Backend Dependencies

• FastAPI
  • Install with: pip install "fastapi[all]"
• MySQL Python Connector
  • Install with: pip install mysql-connector-python
• Web3.py
  • Install with: pip install web3
• py-solc-x
  • Install with: pip install py-solc-x

Frontend Dependencies

Before deploying the frontend, you must ensure that Node.JS version 18.17.1 is installed on your machine.

1. Open a command prompt or terminal.
2. Navigate to the "asset-sphere" application folder (exported from the zipped submission).
3. Run the following commands within the folder:
   • Install module dependencies: npm install
   • Install frontend dependencies: npm install @mui/material @emotion/react @emotion/styled react-router-dom axios cors

Database Setup

For the database, you need to have MySQL Server 8.1 installed on your local device. Ensure that a MySQL database instance is running on localhost and valid credentials are available for this instance.

Smart Contract Interaction

Before making calls to smart contracts, you should have Ganache v2.7.1 installed on your device.

Deploying the Application

1. Create an Instance of the Database

In the folder \asset-sphere\backend, you will find a file called "createdb.sql". Execute the SQL statements in this file by either loading it in your GUI of choice or copying and pasting it into a logged-in MySQL console. You'll know it's successful if a database called "assetsphere" appears when querying the local SQL server for databases.

2. Start Ganache and Choose 'Quickstart (Ethereum)'

Copy the private key from the address at index 0 to your clipboard.

3. Update constants.py

In the folder \asset-sphere\backend, locate the file "constants.py". Paste the private key you copied from Ganache into the variable indicated by comments.

4. Update Database Credentials

If necessary, update the database credentials in "constants.py" to ensure that FastAPI can establish connections to the database. Save the file.

5. Start the Backend Server

In your custom Conda environment, navigate to \asset-sphere\backend and execute the command: C:...\asset-sphere\backend> uvicorn api:app

6. Start the Application

In a command prompt, execute the command: C:...\asset-sphere> npm start

TIP: Ensure that neither of these command windows is stuck due to an inadvertent click, which might stop the console window from refreshing.

7. Create Demo Data

To add initial data for demonstration purposes:

• Open the page: http://127.0.0.1:8000/createdemodata
• If the page returns "success," you're ready to proceed.

Enjoy exploring the application!

Demo Data User Details

• User[0]: admin@assetsphere.com, Password123 – Currently owns three assets
• User[1]: john@doe.com, Password123 – Currently owns no assets

Important Notice

This application is designed as a single-page application. Certain functions and API calls are set to run once on app render due to the absence of a server for hosting. Therefore, do not hit the 'refresh' button or F5 after the application starts. Individual pages within the application will be re-rendered with new data upon loading. To refresh a page, navigate in and out using the navbar.

Reset Instructions

If something goes wrong during application startup or testing, you may need to follow these steps to clear temporary data and redeploy:

1. Stop the Uvicorn/NPM command windows.
2. Drop and recreate the database (see Step 1).
3. Delete all files in "asset-sphere\src\localdata."
4. If a new Ganache session was started, ensure the private key in "constants.py" is up to date (Step 3).
5. Follow steps 4 - 6 to initiate a new load.