The application or current system can connect to the blockchain network through an SDK/API, which is normally developed using Node.js and is an important step in using the smart contract:
There are some important improvements in Hyperledger Fabric 1.3. Since version 1.1 and Node.js chaincode support, developers are now able to develop chaincode using the most popular framework with the latest programming language. If you are using a version before 1.1, you need to use Go to develop the chaincode. Let's explore the new features of Hyperledger Fabric 1.3.
The examples used to set up coding in this book will follow Hyperledger Fabric 1.4, with important new features such as:
- New ways to develop applications
These new features facilitate the writing of decentralized code. They enable the developer to use Node.js SDK Node.js chaincode intuitively and logically to produce decentralized applications
- New features for operations and easier to maintain
With more Hyperledger Fabric networks deployed and tested, serviceability and operational aspects become more important. Fabric v1.4 has new features for logging improvements, health checks, and operational metrics. Fabric 1.4 is the recommended version to start a production operation because its features focus on stability and some important fixes. If you go to the Hyperledger Fabric website, you can find information on future fixes that will be delivered in the v1.4.x stream, while new features are being developed in the v2.0 stream.