Which technologies does blockchain developer need to know?

Which technologies does blockchain developer need to know?

Introduction

Blockchain is the most trendy thing in business today as it can improve traceability and tradability of every transaction that’s ever done in the e-commerce sector, automating everything in a pre-defined action execution. One of the best features of blockchain is its immutability, meaning it ensures the highest levels of data security, and if anything ever happens to hamper that, the systems will be alerted. This way the systems are more secure and the transactions are transparent, leaving no room for error.

When you use blockchain in business, it will definitely reduce operational costs, remove intermediaries, making transactions more transparent and reliable. The transaction speeds are much better, and the influence is felt in almost every business, especially retail, banking, finance, healthcare, Information Technology, you name it. Hiring a blockchain developer would definitely elevate your business to the next level. 

In this article, we will be talking about the technologies and tools used by blockchain developers.

Trending technologies that blockchain developers can use

Skilled blockchain professionals are in huge demand. Given below are the tools used by blockchain developers worldwide, especially since they need to know to work with different Blockchain tools. 

1. Solidity

Solidity is definitely the most popular language that developers use to create smart contracts and dApps or Decentralised applications. The language is inspired by famous programming languages like Javascript, C++ and Python  and is mainly meant for the Ethereum Virtual Machine. EVM executes the written codes. Developers write self-executing smart contractor codes that would execute themselves when the code conditions are met. Solidity is easy, reliable and robust and developers love it because it supports several libraries, contract inheritance and different varieties of user-defined data types. Because of the multiple benefits of Solidity, it is rightly known as the language of the future for web3. 

2. Solc

Solc is short for Solidity Compiler, which is a command-line compiler for solidity programs. Its function is to convert the solidity codes to bytecodes for Ethereum Virtual Machines. The two main types of Solidity Compilers are:

Solc, written in C++ and Soljs for Node Js library. 

3. Ethereum 

Ethereum needs no introduction when it comes to blockchain and web3 and it is one of the most popularly used tools as well. It is the decentralised platform that runs smart contracts, and the developers and QA analysts will no longer have to worry about censorship, fraudulent activities, third-party interference, with practically no downtime. 

Ethereum uses a decentralised virtual machine known as the EVM or Ethereum Virtual Machine to execute the smart contracts. With Ethereum, developers build and deploy DApps or decentralised applications in several programming languages. 

4. Hyperledger Fabric

Hyperledger Fabric is an open source blockchain platform designed primarily for enterprise use cases and can be used to build blockchain applications and networks. Maintained by Linux, this platform features a modular architecture and supports pluggable components. This makes it easier for developers to customise and extend the applications. 

5. Geth

Geth is built using Go programming language and is an Ethereum node implementation. Geth works on all three major platforms – Mac, Windows and Linux. It comes with three interfaces – JSON-RPC server, interactive console and command-line. 

6. Mist

Mist is an important technology that developers should know how to use. It is the official Ethereum wallet for storing Ether tokens to execute your smart contracts. This is a full node wallet, larger than 1TB, and you have to download the entire Ethereum blockchain before it can be deployed. Mist is available for Windows, Linux and Mac. It is also important that you remember your password for Mist, because once lost, it can never be recovered. 

7. Metamask

Developers love Metamask, which is also another wallet for storing and saving keys for ERC20 and Ether. Developers link Metamask with Shapeshift and Coinbase to sell and buy ETH and ERC20 tokens. Metamask acts as a bridge between Ethereum Blockchain and your browser, just like an extension. 

8. Ganache

Ganache,  enables GUI to simulate Blockchain networks, and acts as a Blockchain simulator. You don’t have to set up real test networks with Ganache, but just test and deploy the decentralised applications and smart contracts. It can be deployed on local systems. 

9. Blockchain Testnet

Blockchain development is never complete without the Blockchain Testnet. As the name suggests, the Blockchain testnet lets you test dApps before they go live. There are unique Testnets for each blockchain solution, and it is advisable to use respective Testnets to get accurate results. It lets you locate the bugs and errors without spending much on resources. 

10. Remix

Remix is a popular Ethereum IDE that can execute and deploy a Solidity smart contract. The compilers are compatible with various versions of Solidity. 

11. Blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS)

Every company cannot implement a full and complete blockchain solution without the help of some tool or the other, and this is where BaaS comes in. It is almost similar to the SaaS model, and can help you make use of cloud-based solutions to build and host all Blockchain apps and smart contracts. The cloud based service provider will handle and manage all the basic and essential functions to keep Blockchain operational and functional. 

12. Embark

Embark is a blockchain development and management tool that’s highly useful to the developers for developing decentralised applications. It is a platform that facilitates easy development, and quite powerful too. The platform has a strict contract code that it follows and when the developer makes any changes to the contract it will modify the related dApps too.

Conclusion

A blockchain developer is a key player when you are looking to employ blockchain and web3 in your business. The developer should have a strong base in computer science, mathematics and cryptography because these are essential in building and managing decentralised applications. The developer must have basic programming ability because that’s the foundation of this technology. Since Blockchain platforms like Bitcoin and Ethereum are developing at a rapid rate, it is important that the developers stay updated with the trends and changes in the technology. 

Many industries have already shifted to blockchain development because of the multiple benefits offered by it. So if you are still hesitating, now’s the time to do it. 

Interesting Links:

How to become a Blockchain developer?

More information about Blockchain

Pictures: Canva

The author: Sascha Thattil works at Software-Developer-India.com which is a part of the YUHIRO Group. YUHIRO is a German-Indian enterprise which provides programmers to IT companies, agencies and IT departments.