Feature Request: Support for Reading Contract State at Specific Block Number

[mshakeg]

Description

Summary:
This feature request proposes the addition of a functionality to JustSmartContracts that allows users to read the state of a smart contract at a specific block number. Currently, users can interact with smart contracts to read their state, but this is limited to the latest block. Ethereum's eth_call method supports specifying a block number for state reading, and integrating this feature into JustSmartContracts would significantly enhance its utility.

Detailed Explanation:
Ethereum smart contracts are dynamic, with their state changing at every block. In many cases, especially for development, testing, or auditing purposes, there's a need to understand the state of a contract at a particular point in its history. The Ethereum JSON RPC API provides the eth_call method, which allows users to specify a block number for executing a call. This feature enables users to query the state of the contract as it was at that specific block.

Incorporating this functionality into JustSmartContracts would allow users to specify a block number when reading the state of a contract. This addition would be immensely beneficial for:

• Developers and Testers: To debug and test contracts against historical states.
• Auditors and Researchers: To conduct thorough analyses of contract behavior over time.
• Users and Investors: To understand contract interactions and states at critical past moments, like before and after significant transactions or events.

Proposed Implementation:
The feature could be implemented as an additional input field in the UI where users can specify the block number for the contract state query. This would augment the existing functionality, offering both "latest" state reading and historical state reading options.

Benefits:

• Enhances JustSmartContracts' capabilities for blockchain exploration and interaction.
• Provides a richer, more complete tool for the Ethereum community.
• Aligns JustSmartContracts with Ethereum's native capabilities, making it a more robust and versatile tool.

[olekon]

Thanks for the proposal. Will definitely add this to my todo-list

[mshakeg]

Hi @olekon just wanted to ask if you think you'll be able to ship this soon? neptunemutual seems to have taken down their tool which worked for the network of the connected wallet provider.

[olekon]

I am aftaid not. Unfortunately I don't have much time for maintaining those project now