Abstract

This research addresses the integration of blockchain technology to improve the software development life cycle (SDLC) through version control systems (VCS). However, managing code versions and supporting other developers in software development isn’t just enough with the traditional VCS, for example, Git. It, however, lacks the inherent security, transparency, and automation required for modern distributed software projects. The limitations of current tax systems can be overcome with the help of blockchain technology — it is a decentralized, immutable, transparent technology. Based on the blockchain, the system becomes more secure, transparent, and more efficient. Among the most important benefits are enhanced security against unauthorized changes, traceable code changes tracing, improved collaboration, and code reviews, testing, and deployment automated with smart contracts. While having advantages the blockchain-enhanced version control system (BEVCS) has challenges like scalability, integration complexity, and cost of implementation. This paper ends with some recommendations of how further research can be done and what can be practical stuff to implement. Integration of blockchain in VCS offers transformative possibilities to improve the efficiency and security in VCS, however these challenges need to be overcome to reveal the full potential of blockchain.

Keywords

  • Blockchain
  • Version Control Systems (VCS)
  • Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
  • Smart Contracts
  • Security
  • Transparency
  • Collaboration 1. Introduction

References

  1. A. Rejeb, J. G. Keogh, S. Zailani, H. Treiblmaier, and K. Rejeb, “Blockchain Technology in the Food Industry: a Review of Potentials, Challenges and Future Research Directions,” Logistics, vol. 4, no. 4, p. 27, Oct. 2020, Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/4/4/27
  2. A. Zhang, R. Y. Zhong, M. Farooque, K. Kang, and V. G. Venkatesh, “Blockchain-based life cycle assessment: An implementation framework and system architecture,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 152, p. 104512, Jan. 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104512
  3. V. G. Venkatesh, K. Kang, B. Wang, R. Y. Zhong, and A. Zhang, “System Architecture for Blockchain Based Transparency of Supply Chain Social Sustainability,” Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, vol. 63, no. 101896, p. 101896, Jun. 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcim.2019.101896
  4. Z. Chowdhury, Md. Shahjalal, S. Ahmed, and Y. M. Jang, “6G Wireless Communication Systems: Applications, Requirements, Technologies, Challenges, and Research Directions,” IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1–1, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/ojcoms.2020.3010270
  5. -N. Dai, Z. Zheng, and Y. Zhang, “Blockchain for Internet of Things: A Survey,” IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 1–1, 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/jiot.2019.2920987
  6. Zhou, X. Chen, E. Li, L. Zeng, K. Luo, and J. Zhang, “Edge Intelligence: Paving the Last Mile of Artificial Intelligence With Edge Computing,” Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 107, no. 8, pp. 1738–1762, Aug. 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/jproc.2019.2918951
  7. F. Tao, J. Cheng, Q. Qi, M. Zhang, H. Zhang, and F. Sui, “Digital twin-driven product design, manufacturing and service with big data,” The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, vol. 94, no. 9–12, pp. 3563–3576, Mar. 2018, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-017-0233-1
  8. F. Tao et al., “Digital twin and blockchain enhanced smart manufacturing service collaboration and management,” Journal of Manufacturing Systems, vol. 62, Dec. 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmsy.2020.11.008
  9. G. Li, B. He, Z. Wang, X. Cheng, and J. Chen, “Blockchain-Enhanced Spatiotemporal Data Aggregation for UAV-Assisted Wireless Sensor Networks,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, vol. 18, no. 7, pp. 4520–4530, Oct. 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/tii.2021.3120973
  10. J. Leng et al., “Blockchain-empowered sustainable manufacturing and product lifecycle management in industry 4.0: A survey,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 132, no. 1, p. 110112, Oct. 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110112
  11. Liu, Jiang, Osmani, and Demian, “Building Information Management (BIM) and Blockchain (BC) for Sustainable Building Design Information Management Framework,” Electronics, vol. 8, no. 7, p. 724, Jun. 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics8070724
  12. B. Wang, W. Luo, A. Zhang, Z. Tian, and Z. Li, “Blockchain-enabled circular supply chain management: A system architecture for fast fashion,” Computers in Industry, vol. 123, p. 103324, Dec. 2020, Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166361520305583
  13. J. Liu and P. Jiang, “A blockchain-driven cyber-credit evaluation approach for establishing reliable cooperation among unauthentic MSMEs in social manufacturing,” Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 121, no. 4, pp. 724–749, Dec. 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/imds-05-2020-0295
  14. B. Wang, W. Luo, A. Zhang, Z. Tian, and Z. Li, “Blockchain-enabled circular supply chain management: A system architecture for fast fashion,” Computers in Industry, vol. 123, p. 103324, Dec. 2020, Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166361520305583
  15. “The Truth is Out There: Insights from Improv with NASA | AIAA SciTech Forum,” AIAA SciTech Forum, 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.2514/MSCITECH21