Application: InkBench

[ItshMoh]

Project Abstract

InkBench is a comprehensive Rust-based benchmarking framework designed to compare Solidity and ink! smart contract performance on pallet-revive. The project delivers a reusable library that standardizes contract deployment, execution, and measurement, alongside three user-facing tools: a CLI for developers and CI/CD workflows, a Web API service for programmatic access, and a Next.js web application for interactive benchmarking. The framework measures critical performance metrics including gas usage, execution time, contract size, and ABI efficiency across standardized scenarios such as storage operations, arithmetic computations, cross-contract calls, and upgradeable patterns.

InkBench addresses a key gap identified in the ink! ecosystem's RFP for benchmarking tools. With a working PoC already demonstrating pallet-revive integration, the project spans 3 months across two milestones: Milestone 1 focuses on core library development and CLI implementation (1.5 months, $15,000), while Milestone 2 delivers the Web API and frontend application (1.5 months, $15,000). The open-source framework will provide empirical evidence of ink!'s performance advantages, particularly its 64-bit arithmetic and SCALE ABI efficiency, supporting data-driven decision-making for developers, researchers, and ecosystem stakeholders.

Grant level

• [ ] Level 1: Up to $10,000, 2 approvals
• [x] Level 2: Up to $30,000, 3 approvals
• [ ] Level 3: Unlimited, 5 approvals (for >$100k: Web3 Foundation Council approval)

Application Checklist

• [x] The application template has been copied and aptly renamed (project_name.md).
• [x] I have read the application guidelines.
• [ ] Payment details have been provided (Polkadot AssetHub (USDC & DOT) address in the application and bank details via email, if applicable).
• [x] I understand that an agreed upon percentage of each milestone will be paid in vested DOT, to the Polkadot address listed in the application.
• [x] I am aware that, in order to receive a grant, I (and the entity I represent) have to successfully complete a KYC/KYB check.
• [x] The software delivered for this grant will be released under an open-source license specified in the application.
• [x] The initial PR contains only one commit (squash and force-push if needed).
• [x] The grant will only be announced once the first milestone has been accepted (see the announcement guidelines).
• [ ] I prefer the discussion of this application to take place in a private Element/Matrix channel. My username is: @_______:matrix.org (change the homeserver if you use a different one)