Several emerging technologies are already shaping the world. In fact, we will see more as we begin the third decade of the 21st century. One of these disruptive technologies is the blockchain. As you know, this technology brings decentralization to decision making processes. It allows users to perform anonymous peer-to-peer transactions. Blockchain is also the foundation of the crypto revolution that has taken the world by storm. Therefore, there is an increasing need to learn the programming language for blockchain.
We will review the best language for blockchain coding:
- C++
- Solidity
- Java
- Simplicity
- Javascript
- Python
First of all, government and private companies are funding several projects and using blockchain technology. The sheer size of projects in the blockchain space has led to a lack of competent developers in this field. Indeed, blockchain is the new gold for developers.
Best Software Languages for Blockchain Developers
C++
If it wasn’t for C++, perhaps the tech world would be a few miles behind its current success. Certainly, C++ has remained consistent as one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Today, it has become a force to be reckoned with in the blockchain industry. Additionally, the usefulness of C++ in blockchain development cannot be far from the fact that it has the same principles as blockchain. These principles include polymorphism, data hiding, abstraction and encapsulation to prevent careless modification of data.
Ease of use
C++ can be compared to C when talking about ease of use. It is more difficult than Java and C programming languages.
Use of C++ in the Blockchain Industry
C++, Ripple (a centralized ultrafast currency), Monero, Litecoin, Bitcoin (most famous cryptocurrency), EOS (a block with its own cryptocurrency) chain network) has been used in vital and important blockchain projects such as Cpp-ethereum (implementation). ethereum in C++), Stellar (a payment network), and QTUM (also known as a hybrid between bitcoin and ethereum).
Solidity
Solidity was developed specifically for blockchain development. It is the fastest blockchain programming language in the world today. Most of the problems faced by blockchain developers have been solved by Solidity with great accuracy. It is widely used by Ethereum developers and can be used to develop smart contracts. It has similar principles to JavaScript and enhances the ability to build qualitative, decentralized applications.
Blockchain developers often prefer to use Solidity for the Ethereum blockchain network as it allows them to write high-level code that can be easily compiled to low-level machine code. Ethereum is the most popular cryptocurrency after Bitcoin. Additionally, the programming language allows developers to use the Ethereum digital transaction ledger when creating smart contracts between businesses.
Solidity uses preconditions, postconditions, and invariants to streamline the development process. This also makes the process of creating a contract much simpler for users.
Ease of use
Solidity is very easy to use. It is easier to understand than JavaScript.
Use of Solidity in the Blockchain Industry
As mentioned earlier in this section, Solidity is the most popular language used in the development of Ethereum smart contracts. The language is available on various blockchain platforms such as Ethereum Classic, Ethereum, Counterparty, and Tendermint. Some of its applications in blockchain are employment contracts, crowdfunding, auctions.
Java
This programming language is primarily used in web design. It is a general-purpose programming language that is object-oriented, class-based, and concurrent. The language has always been among the best programming languages. It has also become a favorite among developers as it can easily run on any computer with the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed.
Also, Java has been a critical language for the survival of the world wide web. In blockchain programming, it is useful for creating highly interactive web pages. You can use it to create simple and immutable blockchains. Thanks to this immutability, it is impossible for anyone to change the content or information in a block.
Today, Java remains the only language in the industry that can run C++ for its strength. Also, both use the object-oriented approach and have a large collection of third-party platforms and applications. Perhaps the biggest reason why blockchain developers prefer to use Java is its high portability. Programs written in Java can be carried on almost any computing device, as they are not based on system-specific architecture. Instead, they use the universal Java Virtual Machine for execution. This is indeed one of the top reasons why Java is good for blockchain programming.
Ease of use
In terms of difficulty, Java is more difficult than languages such as Javascript and Python. However, it is easier than C++ and Golang.
Use of Java in the Blockchain Industry
Java has earned itself a good name with its use in popular blockchain projects. For example, the famous peer-to-peer cryptocurrency platform called NEM is written in Java. Other popular blockchain projects using Java include IBM blockchain, Ethereum, Neo’s contract, BitcoinJ (i.e. bitcoin implementation in Java), and Hyperledger contracts.
Simplicity
This is another programming language built for blockchain. Rusell O’Connor created the language in 2017. This language hides several logical components from developers to increase their productivity. In fact, this is one of the reasons why it has gained such high momentum in the developer community today.
It is one of the best programming languages for writing smart contracts by professionals and open source developers alike. Just like C++, Simplicity has object-oriented features and uses blockchain-like principles to prevent modifications to data. It also has the ability to organize programs into trees. As a result, it reduces block space requirements and allows for small transaction sizes.
Pros
- Made specifically for blockchain
- It is also capable of generating efficient, secure and functional “smart contracts” code.
Ease of use
Simplicity has functionality superior to Bitcoin script. Its capabilities can be compared to Java or Python. It can also be easily learned like two programming languages.
Using Simplicity in the Blockchain Industry
Simplicity can be used to create smart contracts. Beyond that, it also has the ability to change the smart contract code even after activation. Therefore, it has an advantage over a programming language like Solidity. The main problem with existing smart contracts built with Solidity is their immutability; so you can’t change them even if there is an error. With this new architecture from Simplicity, contracts can be changed upon agreement.
JavaScript
If you know JavaScript very well, you will agree that it occupies a proud place among programming languages. Initially, developers found it difficult to use JavaScript for blockchain development. However, with the launch of innovative NodeJs, developers can now create creative and quality blockchain applications using JavaScript.
One advantage that puts JavaScript above other programming languages is that most uses of JavaScript are already installed in one form or another. This means you don’t have to worry about integration when using this programming language for your blockchain development. Just focus on the application logic.
Recently, Github ranked JavaScript as the most popular programming language among developers, stating that 95% of websites use JavaScript in some way. Likewise, the language is now gaining ground with blockchain development as it can handle asynchronous code. This ability is very important to the blockchain because there is the possibility of initiating millions of transactions at the same time. Asynchronous (i.e. parallel programming) allows a program to perform multiple actions simultaneously. This is not what a standard synchronous programming language can handle.
An added benefit is that running multiple actions simultaneously can help improve application performance and increase software responsiveness. As a result, blockchain programs can perform large numbers of actions without dragging or slowing performance. In short, users can save time and have a smooth experience by using such programs.
Pros
- Asynchronous programming language
- Object-oriented
- Also supports functional programming
- Prototype-based.
Ease of use
JavaScript is pretty easy to learn and study. Learning the basics is enough to get started with blockchain programming. However, you need to keep learning while working with the language. There are several courses online today that teach JavaScript. Even for blockchain programming, there are quality courses that teach and give you in-depth knowledge.
Use of JavaScript in the Blockchain Industry
Famous places where JavaScript is used in blockchain are ethereum.js and web3.js. Both help connect the front end of an application to smart contracts and the Ethereum network. Another popular application is the Hyperledger Fabric SDK, which is a large framework often used in large companies and enterprises. It can also be used with NEO, a large blockchain that can process thousands of transactions per second. Finally, it is used in the Raiden Network, a high-speed infrastructure built on top of the Ethereum blockchain.
Python
Python is another programming language known for its simplicity as it is very easy to learn. Today, it is used by several data analysts and scientists. It has a huge community that is active and publishes libraries like NumPy, Pandas and SciPy that are used for different technical applications in science, math and engineering. Python is excellent at handling numbers, especially in data processing, cleaning, analysis, and visualization. It is an excellent programming language for blockchain as it can be used to write smart contracts among many other capabilities.
Ease of use
If Python is easy to learn for normal programming, it is just as easy to learn for blockchain development.
Using Python in the Blockchain Industry
You can use Python for great projects in the blockchain industry. For example, the implementation of smart contracts for Ethereum (pyethereum), hyperledger, as well as the creation of contracts for NEO.
Final Words
Blockchain technology is a truly disruptive technology that has caused a great revolution in the world. It will continue to shape how assets and data are transferred in today’s business deals and transactions. It will also have a huge impact on companies and companies, especially in the banking sector. Then it will affect other industries such as law and pharmaceuticals. Governments around the world are also witnessing the creativity of blockchain technology and are already using it to provide governance to citizens.
Of course, as the private and public sectors continue to move towards this incredible technology, blockchain will open up huge opportunities for the few developers with programming skills. Therefore, there is no better time than now to learn the best programming languages for blockchain development.
Also, you can expect to see more new languages for the blockchain market in the coming years. The market boom is real, the volatility is evident. The only way to be a part of this economic prosperity is to learn how to use programming languages for blockchain development.
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