MindTheDApp: A Toolchain for Complex Network-Driven Structural Analysis
  of Ethereum-based Decentralised Applications
Giacomo Ibba Sabrina Aufiero Silvia Bartolucci Rumyana Neykova Marco Ortu Roberto Tonelli Giuseppe Destefanis
This paper presents MindTheDApp, a toolchain designed specifically for the
structural analysis of Ethereum-based Decentralized Applications (DApps), with
a distinct focus on a complex network-driven approach. Unlike existing tools,
our toolchain combines the power of ANTLR4 and Abstract Syntax Tree (AST)
traversal techniques to transform the architecture and interactions within
smart contracts into a specialized bipartite graph. This enables advanced
network analytics to highlight operational efficiencies within the DApp's
architecture.
  The bipartite graph generated by the proposed tool comprises two sets of
nodes: one representing smart contracts, interfaces, and libraries, and the
other including functions, events, and modifiers. Edges in the graph connect
functions to smart contracts they interact with, offering a granular view of
interdependencies and execution flow within the DApp. This network-centric
approach allows researchers and practitioners to apply complex network theory
in understanding the robustness, adaptability, and intricacies of decentralized
systems.
  Our work contributes to the enhancement of security in smart contracts by
allowing the visualisation of the network, and it provides a deep understanding
of the architecture and operational logic within DApps. Given the growing
importance of smart contracts in the blockchain ecosystem and the emerging
application of complex network theory in technology, our toolchain offers a
timely contribution to both academic research and practical applications in the
field of blockchain technology.