Company
Date Published
Author
Chainlink
Word count
1196
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Ethereum smart contracts often require external timing mechanisms for triggering on-chain actions, particularly in decentralized applications (dApps) that employ blockchain voting systems with specific time windows. Unlike legacy systems that can easily implement timing through system calls or hardware clocks, Ethereum uses off-chain transactions to trigger events, necessitating an off-chain solution like Chainlink nodes to act as reliable alarm clocks. This article explains how to implement simple time-gated voting in a dApp using Chainlink, involving steps such as inheriting Chainlink functionality, formatting and submitting sleep requests, restricting vote initiation to the contract owner, and implementing simple KYC to prevent multiple votes from the same address. A smart contract example is provided, showcasing how Chainlink requests can open and close voting windows by pausing task pipelines for specified durations, with voting logic ensuring votes are counted correctly and allowing users to check their voting status. The guide highlights Chainlink's versatility in enhancing smart contract functionality and invites developers to explore additional Chainlink features and resources for further integration.