FlexiContracts: A Novel and Efficient Scheme for Upgrading Smart Contracts in Ethereum Blockchain
Tahrim Hossain, Sakib Hassan, Faisal Haque Bappy, Muhammad Nur Yanhaona, Sarker Ahmed Rumee, Moinul Zaber, Tariqul Islam
TL;DR
This work tackles the immutability of Ethereum smart contracts by proposing FlexiContracts, a framework that enables secure, in-place upgrades while preserving historical data. The approach combines on-chain governance with automated storage reorganization to manage upgrade proposals and align storage layouts automatically, reducing data migration and gas costs. Key contributions include a decentralized governance protocol with a structured proposal lifecycle, an off-chain code analyzer that generates precise data-movement instructions, and an on-chain storage reorganizer that enacts upgrades without breaking continuity. The scheme aims to simplify smart contract evolution, maintain user endpoint stability, and support continuous adaptation to new requirements with transparent, community-driven decision-making.
Abstract
Blockchain technology has revolutionized contractual processes, enhancing efficiency and trust through smart contracts. Ethereum, as a pioneer in this domain, offers a platform for decentralized applications but is challenged by the immutability of smart contracts, which makes upgrades cumbersome. Existing design patterns, while addressing upgradability, introduce complexity, increased development effort, and higher gas costs, thus limiting their effectiveness. In response, we introduce FlexiContracts, an innovative scheme that reimagines the evolution of smart contracts on Ethereum. By enabling secure, in-place upgrades without losing historical data, FlexiContracts surpasses existing approaches, introducing a previously unexplored path in smart contract evolution. Its streamlined design transcends the limitations of current design patterns by simplifying smart contract development, eliminating the need for extensive upfront planning, and significantly reducing the complexity of the design process. This advancement fosters an environment for continuous improvement and adaptation to new requirements, redefining the possibilities for dynamic, upgradable smart contracts.