When Ethereum springs to mind, its robust network of smart contracts often follows. For the uninitiated, smart contracts these are software-like agents living on the Ethereum blockchain, carrying out tasks such as moving Ether around or ERC-20 tokens , among other tasks.
But how do these smart contracts get crafted? Like any software, Ethereum contracts are written in code. The programming language behind this magic is usually the one and only Solidity .
While there are other languages that can write smart contracts, Solidity currently stands out as the go-to. Let's dig into basic concepts of Solidity and learn where to find excellent resources to master it.
Solidity as a programming language
Today's programmers are usually versed in several trendy coding languages—think C, C++, Python, Java, and Perl, among others. Solidity was designed to readily mesh with skills from these popular languages.
If you picked up Visual Basic back in the day, you might find learning Solidity a bit tricky. However, familiarity with Python or C could make the transition smoother.
Solidity captures numerous programming principles familiar from other languages, like variables, functions, and classes. But, unlike C's typical 'main' function, Solidity starts from a 'contract' structure.
You'll notice that Solidity code looks a lot like C++, C#, or even JavaScript at first glance. If you're used to Python, you'll need to adjust to Solidity's requirement for explicit type declarations, among other peculiarities.
With its relatively recent introduction, the learning landscape for Solidity is still developing.
For most coding languages, plenty of books offer in-depth guides. If you're diving into JavaScript, for instance, there's no shortage of instructional reading.
However, given Solidity’s youth, only a scarce number of books cover its intricacies, and the reviews reviews on sites like Amazon vary greatly, bordering on the negative at times.
Solidity’s extensive documentation offers a wealth of information on its functionality. Yet, for a novice unfamiliar with programming, diving headfirst into these documents might prove overwhelming.
Ideally, you should treat documentation like a trusty reference book, dipping in as needed, rather than trying to absorb it cover to cover like a novel.
Those with determination and patience might manage to grasp Solidity by scouring through the documentation, even without a strong programming background, though it won't be a cakewalk.
Solidity training and courses
For beginner programmers curious about Solidity, one engaging way to start learning is Crypto Zombies . This site is very similar to Codecademy with fun, browser-based tasks that provide immediate feedback. Crypto Zombies, specifically, offers a playful experience themed around building a zombie game with Solidity.
We gave the first chapter a go, which took about two hours to wrap up. It was challenging, but perseverance paid off. The full course isn't complete yet.
The creators promise to roll out new lessons every few weeks. Upon completion, learners should find themselves with a fully functioning game built on Solidity.
While Crypto Zombies might not elevate you to a professional level, it provides a solid introduction to key smart contract concepts and the basics of Solidity.
If you're brand new to programming, Codecademy offers a free course that could be a good start. A basic understanding of Python or JavaScript would be particularly helpful when exploring Crypto Zombies.
For those eager to skip straight to advanced learning, Block Geeks offers a detailed, free resource. course on their website.
Opportunities for paid courses and online certifications in Solidity
There’s been a rise in platforms offering paid tech courses, like BitDegree which aims to revolutionize education with blockchain-secured online courses.
After course completion, users receive a blockchain-verified certificate logged on Ethereum. BitDegree, launched not too long ago, has a Solidity course that costs just $9.99.
Udemy.com presents another opportunity with video tutorials. Though a Solidity course here might list for $200, it's often available at a significant discount. course For a more comprehensive (and costly) alternative, B9LAB.com offers a certified Ethereum developer course.
Spanning nine weeks, with a weekly commitment of 6 to 10 hours, this program costs around €1450, or approximately $1750. They also offer a free course trial course to test out their teaching style. Ethereum 101 Considering a career involving Solidity? You might want to assess what other complementary skills are needed. Mastering blockchain can be extremely beneficial, but diving into one solid programming language first is advisable. For instance, having
Is it worth learning solidity?
a post as a Solidity developer at Bounty0x demands knowledge beyond Solidity, extending to Truffle, NodeJS, and GoLang. job posting If you're devoted and ready to invest a few years in mastering Solidity, take the leap—it could pave the way for a rewarding, stable career.
Besides Solidity, there's Serpent, inspired by Python. Given Python's clarity and simplicity, Serpent might become easier to grasp in time. Skills in Solidity or Serpent are transferable to RSK and Ethereum Classic, other smart contract platforms.
For the moment, however, Solidity reigns supreme. Mastering it will lay a strong foundation for future smart contract language endeavors.
Robert, News Editor at Blockonomi, is passionate about the freedom, privacy, and independence of the future digital economy. Deeply rooted in the world of cryptocurrency, reach him at Robert@level-up-casino-app.com
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