Contract Example

Let’s start with a simple Smart Contract that returns a value:

//SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity 0.8.13;
 
contract EventExample {
 
    mapping(address => uint) public tokenBalance;
 
    constructor() {
        tokenBalance[msg.sender] = 100;
    }
 
    function sendToken(address _to, uint _amount) public returns(bool) {
        require(tokenBalance[msg.sender] >= _amount, "Not enough tokens");
        assert(tokenBalance[_to] + _amount >= tokenBalance[_to]);
        assert(tokenBalance[msg.sender] - _amount <= tokenBalance[msg.sender]);
        tokenBalance[msg.sender] -= _amount;
        tokenBalance[_to] += _amount;
        return true;
    }
}
 

Deploy with JavaScript VM

Let’s see what happens if you deploy the Smart Contract with the JavaScript VM.

1. Select the JavaScript VM
2. Deploy the Smart Contract

Send a Token

Now let’s actually use the “sendToken” function. Copy the address of Account#2 into the “_to” field and enter “1” into the _amount field, then start a transaction:

Observe what happens in the Transaction window!

1. Open the Transaction Details
2. Have a look at the decoded output field!

Normally, there is no decoded output. Sending a transaction is a concurrent operation that usually doesn’t have a return value. There were some discussions to actually return something, but as of writing these lines, events are here to emit values from a writing transaction. Let’s test this with a real blockchain!

Deploy with MetaMask

Let’s use our Test-Ether we got earlier for Ropsten, Rinkeby or Görli to test if that same behavior happens on a real blockchain!

Select “Injected Web3 Provider” from the Dropdown, autorize MetaMask with Remix and deploy to a test-network where you have some Eth.

Then MetaMask should pop up with a confirmation dialog.

Send a Token

Now, again, send a Token to any address you want. It can also be the same address that deployed the smart contract. We’re looking just for the return value, so, the actual logic is secondary for now.

Again, MetaMask will pop up. Again, confirm that you are on a test-network and then confirm the transaction.

If you have a look this time at the decoded output, you’ll see nothing! 😯 But why?!

Because Events are there to return values from a transaction! Let’s add an event!