1. Sources

• https://github.com/embark-framework/embark
• https://embark.readthedocs.io/en/2.6.6/
• https://ethereumdev.io/getting-started-with-embark-framework/
• https://embark.status.im/docs/index.html
• https://nodesource.com/blog/installing-node-js-tutorial-using-nvm-on-mac-os-x-and-ubuntu/

2. Introduction

Embark is a framework that allows you to easily develop and deploy Decentralized Applications (DApps).

A Decentralized Application is a serverless html5 application that uses one or more decentralized technologies.

Embark currently integrates with EVM blockchains (Ethereum), Decentralized Storages (IPFS), and Decentralized communication platforms (Whisper and Orbit). Swarm is supported for deployment.

With Embark you can:

Blockchain (Ethereum)

• Automatically deploy contracts and make them available in your JS code. Embark watches for changes, and if you update a contract, Embark will automatically redeploy the contracts (if needed) and the dapp.
• Contracts are available in JS with Promises.
• Do Test Driven Development with Contracts using Javascript.
• Keep track of deployed contracts; deploy only when truly needed.
• Manage different chains (e.g testnet, private net, livenet)
• Easily manage complex systems of interdependent contracts.

Decentralized Storage (IPFS)

• Easily Store & Retrieve Data on the DApp through EmbarkJS. Including uploading and retrieving files.
• Deploy the full application to IPFS or Swarm.

Decentralized Communication (Whisper, Orbit)

• Easily send/receive messages through channels in P2P through Whisper or Orbit.

Web Technologies

• Integrate with any web technology including React, Foundation, etc..
• Use any build pipeline or tool you wish, including grunt, gulp and webpack.

3. Installation

3.1 Prerequisites

3.1.1 Node Version Manager

Install nvm (Node Version Manager)

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/creationix/nvm/v0.33.11/install.sh | bash
nvm --version ## Check installation

3.1.2 Install Node Long Term Support

nvm install --lts
nvm use --lts

3.2 Installation

3.2.1 Install embark

$ npm -g install embark --python=/usr/bin/python2.7
$ embark --version #to check installation

Python v2.5<v<v3.0 is needed. If your default python is not appropriate you may set a different path using –python

3.2.2 With Ethereum Support

If you want to use Embark with Ethereum and want embark to run a node for you (with the embark blockchain command), then you need to install Go-Ethrereum 1.6.7 or higher.

$ brew tap ethereum/ethereum
$ brew install ethereum

Go Ethereum will be installed in /usr/local/Cellar

3.2.3 With IPFS support

To use IPFS you need first to install a IPFS node and run it. There two available, go-ipfs and js-ipfs. We will go with go-ipfs.

1. Get the tarball
2. Untar and install it. Ipfs binary will be moved to /usr/local

tar -xvzf ./go-ipfs_v0.4.17_darwin-amd64.tar.gz
cd go-ipfs
./install.sh
/usr/local/bin/ipfs #check installation

More on IPFS here : Getting started with IPFS

Notes: Once installed and setup you will need to make sure the headers are setup properly for your app.

$ ipfs config --json API.HTTPHeaders.Access-Control-Allow-Origin "[\"http://example.com\"]"
$ ipfs config --json API.HTTPHeaders.Access-Control-Allow-Credentials "[\"true\"]"
$ ipfs config --json API.HTTPHeaders.Access-Control-Allow-Methods "[\"PUT\", \"POST\", \"GET\"]"

4. Setup

TO Be CONTINUED

https://embark.status.im/docs/setup.html