Read-only functions for free?

[bleak palm]

NEAR protocol contracts allow to have read-only methods that do not change the state or data on-chain, so invoking these methods is totally free. See https://www.calvintorra.com/blog/how-to-view-data-on-a-near-protocol-contract-for-free.

I know that currently, to invoke a Soroban contract function this involves sending a transaction with the InvokeHostFunction operation so at least the base fee of 100 stroops should be paid.

But, is there a way in Soroban to query read-only functions for free? If not, are there plans to add this or is it unfeasible?

[broken geode]

the json-rpc simulateTransaction method allows you to execute queries for free

we have some semantical challenges around conveying what preflight/simulateTransaction actually means. More context #1114217683664261180 message

[tawdry pollen]

Just to share a related discussion about this exact topic: https://github.com/stellar/rs-soroban-sdk/issues/971

So far using the RPC directly is the best option for such types of functions