Welcome to the world of blockchain! In this digital age, building applications on the Stellar network has never been easier, thanks to the Stellar Python SDK. This article will guide you through the installation process and provide a simple example of how to use the SDK to execute a transaction.

What is the Stellar Python SDK?

The Stellar Python SDK, known as py-stellar-base, is a powerful library that allows developers to interact with the Stellar Horizon server and the Soroban-RPC server. It is designed for users who want to build Stellar applications using Python and supports Python 3.8 and above.

Features of the SDK

• Networking layer API for Horizon endpoints
• Networking layer API for Soroban-RPC server methods
• Facilities for building and signing transactions
• Querying network history

Installing the Stellar SDK

To install the Stellar SDK, open your terminal and use the following command:

pip install --upgrade stellar-sdk

If you need to work asynchronously, install the required dependencies using:

pip install --upgrade stellar-sdk[aiohttp]

It’s advisable to specify the major version number in your dependency file to avoid any crippling surprises during updates!

A Simple Example: Sending XLM

Let’s imagine you’re sending 10.25 XLM from Alice to Bob, similar to passing a note in class! Here’s how you can do it with the Stellar Python SDK:

from stellar_sdk import Asset, Server, Keypair, TransactionBuilder, Network

# Alice's secret key
alice_keypair = Keypair.from_secret('SBFZCHU5645DOKRWYBXVOXY2ELGJKFRX6VGGPRYUWHQ7PMXXJNDZFMKD')
# Bob's public address
bob_address = 'GA7YNBW5CBTJZ3ZZOWX3ZNBKD6OE7A7IHUQVWMY62W2ZBG2SGZVOOPVH'

# Connecting to the Stellar test network
server = Server('https://horizon-testnet.stellar.org')

# Loading Alice's account
alice_account = server.load_account(alice_keypair.public_key)

# Setting the base fee
base_fee = 100

# Building the transaction
transaction = (
    TransactionBuilder(
        source_account=alice_account,
        network_passphrase=Network.TESTNET_NETWORK_PASSPHRASE,
        base_fee=base_fee,
    )
    .add_text_memo('Hello, Stellar!')
    .append_payment_op(bob_address, Asset.native(), 10.25)
    .set_timeout(30)
    .build()
)

# Signing and submitting the transaction
transaction.sign(alice_keypair)
response = server.submit_transaction(transaction)

# Printing the response
print(response)

In this example, think of Alice as a person who wishes to transfer some money (10.25 XLM) to Bob. The ‘note’ she attaches includes a message (“Hello, Stellar!”), similar to personalized messages we attach when giving gifts. The code essentially builds a transaction that is then signed (like sealing a letter) and submitted to the Stellar network for processing.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you run into any issues while working with the Stellar Python SDK, consider the following troubleshooting tips:

• Ensure you have Python 3.8+ installed on your machine.
• Check your internet connection, as the SDK interacts with remote servers.
• Review your keys and addresses; make sure they are correct and valid.
• If you encounter installation errors, consider setting up a virtual environment to avoid package conflicts.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Additional Resources

Here are some useful links to help you become more familiar with the Stellar Python SDK:

• Documentation
• Code Repository
• Examples
• Issue Tracker
• Releases

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

Conclusion

Now that you have the tools and knowledge to begin using the Stellar Python SDK, you can embark on your journey of building exciting applications on the Stellar network. Enjoy coding!