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system_chainType - JSON-RPC Method

Description#

Returns the chain type classification for the Moonbase Alpha network. This method identifies whether the connected node is running on a live production network, development testnet, or local instance. The chain type is crucial for determining the appropriate security considerations, testing strategies, and deployment configurations for your applications.

Parameters#

This method does not require any parameters.

Returns#

FieldTypeDescription
resultstringChain type identifier (e.g., "Live", "Development", "Local")

Common Chain Types#

  • Live: Production mainnet environment
  • Development: Public testnet or development network
  • Local: Local development node

Use Cases#

  1. Environment Detection: Automatically configure application behavior based on network type
  2. Security Configuration: Apply stricter validation and security measures for live networks
  3. Feature Flags: Enable or disable experimental features based on chain environment
  4. Testing Workflows: Verify deployment targets before executing transactions
  5. CI/CD Pipeline: Validate correct network connections in automated deployments
  6. User Warnings: Display appropriate warnings when connected to development networks

Request Example#

curl -X POST https://api-moonbase-alpha.n.dwellir.com/YOUR_API_KEY \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"method":"system_chainType","params":[]}'

Response Example#

{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "result": "Development",
  "id": 1
}

Code Examples#

JavaScript (polkadot.js)#

import { ApiPromise, WsProvider } from '@polkadot/api';

const api = await ApiPromise.create({
  provider: new WsProvider('wss://api-moonbase-alpha.n.dwellir.com/YOUR_API_KEY')
});
const chainType = await api.rpc.system.chainType();
console.log(`Chain type: ${chainType.toString()}`);

Python#

import requests
import json

def get_chain_type():
    url = "https://api-moonbase-alpha.n.dwellir.com/YOUR_API_KEY"
    payload = {
        "jsonrpc": "2.0",
        "method": "system_chainType",
        "params": [],
        "id": 1
    }
    response = requests.post(url, json=payload)
    return response.json()["result"]

chain_type = get_chain_type()
print(f"Connected to {chain_type} network")

Best Practices#

  • Cache the chain type result during application initialization
  • Use chain type to conditionally enable debug logging and verbose error messages
  • Implement environment-specific transaction limits and confirmation requirements
  • Display clear visual indicators in UI for development vs. production networks