I am using a Docker image that I optimized to use for ruby Development. The reason why I am using docker image is, if you are going to configure your machine to support Ethereum, you have to install various things. Have a look at the ethereum-rb & also if you want to see the Dockerfile.

Everything I am describing here are in ico-rb repository. To get started clone the repository. So it will be easy for you to understand better.

Then docker-compose build will fetch all dependencies & install.

docker-compose -f docker-compose.yml up will start running the ethereum network in the container. If you are running this for the first time, it will take few hours to sync all blocks to your container. Make sure you are fully synced with the Ethereum network before deploying your smart contract.

There are several Ethereum test networks for your testings. By default this repository is pointing to rinkeby ethereum test network. But if you want to run the main ethereum network remove command: --rinkeby line from docker-compose.yml

After you are done with syncing the blocks of the network, you are good to go with deploying the smart contract. But to deploy a smart contract you must have a ethereum account with some ethereum coins. Because it will cost a few amount to deploy a smart contract. You can login to geth console of the container using this command.

docker exec -it CONTAINERNAME geth attach ipc:/root/.ethereum/rinkeby/geth.ipc

If you are connecting to the main ethereum network, docker exec -it CONTAINERNAME geth attach will be enough

After connecting to the geth console, you can create a new account from this command personal.newAccount("PASSPHRASE"). Add whatever the passphrase you want within quotation. Before deploying a smart contract you have to unlock this account using the PASSPHRASE. personal.unlockAccount("ACCOUNTNUMBER"). You can have a look at other eth commands too. Before deploying the smart contract, make sure you have some amount of ethereum for this account. You can get free ethereum coins for rinkeby network from crypto faucet.

Now the final stage of deploying the smart contract. First bash into the container using docker exec -it CONTAINERNAME bash. And the sample app you downloaded from the repository is in the app directory. In the app directory bundle install & run the ruby script bundle exec ruby contract_sample.rb This final command will connect to the ethereum node & deploy your smart contract. Normally it will take about 1 minute to deploy the smart contract.

For this I’m using ethereum.rb gem to compile & deploy the smart contract.

Cheers,

DilumN