Using a block explorer
A block explorer is an Ethereum browser. They provide reports and information about current blocks and transactions on the Ethereum network. They are a great place to learn more about existing and past data. One example is available at https://etherscan.io/, as shown in the following screenshot. Block explorer can help in debugging by making information about blocks, transactions within a block, and other metadata easily accessible to developers. They help in finding the transaction hash, block hash, the sender and recipients involved in a transaction, gas supplied, gas consumed and many other details besides.
Figure 10.7 – The etherscan.io website provides information about blocks and transactions
It shows transactions involving both accounts and contracts. Clicking on a transaction reveals more details about it, as shown in the following screenshot:
Figure 10.8 – Transaction information and metadata...
