I recently came across the Xelis Smart Contract Virtual Machine (XVM) Developer Playground Beta, and I have to say, it’s an interesting tool for developers in the crypto space. This web-based platform allows you to write, test, and debug code using a unique language called Silex. While it has its advantages, there are also some drawbacks that I think are worth discussing.
The Good Stuff: Benefits of the Xelis VM Playground
The biggest selling point for me is that it’s web-based. You don’t need to set up anything locally, which can be a hassle for many people. If you’re like me and tend to avoid local setups whenever possible, this feature alone makes it worth considering.
Another plus is that Silex is pretty easy to pick up. If you have any experience with Rust or similar languages, you’ll find Silex intuitive. It even lets you define your own types and structures, which adds a layer of customizability that’s quite appealing.
The playground also offers a secure environment for testing your code. Since it’s isolated from any live systems, you don’t have to worry about crashing anything important or exposing yourself to security risks.
The Not-So-Good Stuff: Limitations of the Xelis VM Playground
However, there are some downsides that can’t be ignored. For one, it’s not exactly user-friendly if you’re trying to develop something complex quickly. The lack of features like auto-complete can slow you down significantly.
Also, while the security aspects are great for preventing issues on live systems, they do raise questions about how secure this web-based environment actually is. You’re essentially running your code on someone else’s server—something I’d usually avoid when developing.
And let’s not forget about reentrancy attacks and other smart contract vulnerabilities that could potentially arise from using an untested language in an unfamiliar environment.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Your Time?
So what’s my conclusion? If you’re looking for something simple and straightforward to get acquainted with a new language and virtual machine setup, then yes—it might just be worth your time.
But if you’re someone who needs robust development tools and isn’t afraid of setting things up locally (and securely), then I’d recommend waiting a bit longer until more features are added before diving into this playground.
As always in crypto & blockchain development: weigh your options carefully!
