Quicknode

July 10, 2024 — 5 min read

In the rapidly evolving world of web3, developers face unique challenges when it comes to efficiently processing, transforming, and integrating onchain data without getting bogged down by the complexities of infrastructure management.

That's why we're thrilled to announce Functions—a powerful new addition to our suite of blockchain ETL products that reimagines serverless computing for all your essential data needs.

Functions seamlessly integrate with Streams and Key-Value Store to revolutionize how you'll build apps and data pipelines by providing a robust, high-performance, serverless solution to all your data challenges.

See for yourself by getting started with Functions in seconds.

What are Functions?

Functions is a serverless computing platform for deploying lightweight, scalable code that’s optimized for web3—with built-in access to common web3 packages like ethers.js, web3.js, and the Quicknode SDK.

Functions is also launching with a library of templates. As builders create Functions templates, they'll be able to publish, share, and monetize their templates, arming you with an arsenal of web3 solutions that are just a single click away.

Using a Templated Function to Accelerate Your Workflow

We're launching the Functions Library with examples ready to go. The Quicknode team and its community of developers will continue adding Functions to bring you more one-click solutions.

Here are just a few examples we're excited about:

Estimate Gas Price: Set up a Filtered Stream and use this template to get real-time estimates on gas prices for multiple chains.

Estimate Gas Price

Learn how to get the estimated gas price for a block via API or data stream.

Quicknode Docs

Compute Block Metrics: Blockchain data is extensive, and having enhanced information about a block can provide comprehensive insights into blockchain activity. This Function enables developers, analysts, and businesses to perform better analysis and make more informed decisions by fetching vital block analytics data like active addresses, gas price, ETH transferred, biggest transactions, etc.

Compute Block Metrics | Quicknode

Learn how to get vital block analytics such as active addresses, transaction count, and more via API.

Quicknode Docs

See for yourself just how powerful Functions can be for your data pipelines:

Do More With Your Data. A Lot More.

Functions integrates with numerous blockchains and perfectly complements the Quicknode product suite.

For example, you can now establish a complete and powerful blockchain ETL pipeline by pushing data from Streams then routing to Functions. Here, you can write and execute custom Functions to enhance, enrich, and transform your data. Then, Functions can send your data to its final data lake or warehouse.

Serverless So You Can Stress Less

Stop stressing about infrastructure and focus on innovating your product. Here are just a few reasons why Functions will level up your web3 development stack:

• API Ready: Your functions are automatically exposed as an API, ready to be called from your front-end or other services.

• Performance at Scale: Our globally balanced, auto-scaling infrastructure ensures smooth operation, even at peak loads.

• Blockchain Optimized: Use your function as a destination for Streams, and it will automatically activate when new data is piped in from your Stream. You can also activate your function via API and optionally specify a specific blockchain dataset to access within your function during the activation.

• Storage Access: Access and manage your Key-Value Store data seamlessly within your function.

• Cost Effective: Pay for only what you use, with no upfront costs or long-term commitments.

Supported Languages

At launch, Functions will support:

• Node.js

• Python

Soon, we will add support for:

• Go

• PHP

• Ruby

• Swift

• Java

• Docker

Functions is optimized for web3—with built-in access to common web3 packages like ethers.js, web3.js, and the Quicknode SDK.

Supported Chains

Functions activated by API requests can automatically access blockchain data from any of the supported chains and networks in this documentation.

Competitive, Predictable Pricing

With a pay-for-what-you-use pricing model, Functions optimize resource usage for blockchain-specific workloads. This leads to more predictable costs and eliminates waste, making it a highly cost-effective solution for blockchain developers.

Across all Quicknode plans, everyone will automatically have an included amount of GB-sec, so you can immediately start using Functions for free—see for yourself by visiting your Dashboard!

For Discover+ plans and above, there is a $0.0000159 per GB-sec of compute for any usage above the allotted GB-sec.

Get Started with Functions Today

Start using Functions in seconds—visit the documentation to learn more!

You can write your code directly in the Functions UI or upload it as a zip file or Docker image. Your functions can be activated manually within the Quicknode Developer Portal, as a destination for a Stream, or via API.

Want to submit your Function to the library? Contribute to the Functions Library by opening a pull request to submit your Function.

How about testing out some pre-built Functions? The Functions Library has ready-to-use examples ranging across various use cases.

Designed for users. Built for business.

Functions allow you to focus on writing code that matters while we handle the complexities of scaling and infrastructure management.

Build innovative blockchain applications without limitations and scale effortlessly with our blockchain-optimized serverless platform.

For guidance and more information, our team is just a click away.