This module breaks down how rippled processes RPC requests, providing the essential foundations you’ll need before implementing custom RPC handlers in the next module. 

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You’ll gain a clear understanding of how an API request moves through the system, from its initial entry point, through the handler architecture and authentication checks, all the way to the final response, while also learning the key validation and error-handling patterns that ensure reliability.

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The core objective is to help you fully grasp this end-to-end flow so that you can build, debug, and extend XRPL-facing APIs with confidence.

Understanding the RPC Architecture

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You’ll explore the modular design of rippled’s RPC system, examining how each component contributes to the processing of incoming requests.

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• The handler architecture orchestrates registration and dispatch.
  
  
• The request flow reveals the full lifecycle of an RPC call, from entry points to validation and final response.
  
  
• Authentication and authorization implement role-based access control.
  
  
• Error handling ensures rigorous validation and consistent error responses.
  
  

Through hands-on exercises, you’ll learn to trace RPC requests end-to-end, understand how handlers are registered, and analyze how access roles influence request processing.

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You’ll also learn to navigate the RPC codebase, interpret error codes, and understand the security patterns that protect the RPC interface.

This practical foundation is essential for anyone looking to build applications on the XRPL, implement custom RPC handlers, or contribute directly to the rippled codebase.

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