How to Enter the Path of a Blockchain Developer? With its groundbreaking nature, blockchain technology paves the road to novel avenues of development, inviting innovative and tech-savvy minds to contribute. If you’re eager to become a participant in this technological realm and wish to channel your creative thinking, this article offers guidance on how to embark on this journey.
Who is a blockchain developer?
A Blockchain Developer is tasked with constructing the foundation of a blockchain system and enhancing its protocols through the creation of specific contracts and web applications. This role holds a certain allure as the technology unfolds, arousing curiosity and interest in such an advanced and forward-looking domain. However, before composing a poem, one must establish a connection with the words to effectively convey emotions.
So first, let’s clear our insights over the basics of blockchain.
Blockchain
It is a type of distributed ledger for maintaining a permanent and tamper-proof record of transactional data.
Decentralisation
Blockchain is supposed to be a network that is not restrained to one particular authority.
Immutability
It is the ability for a blockchain ledger to remain unalterable and indelible history of communication i.e. once data has been written to a blockchain, it is unalterable.
Miners
Blockchain developers who use their mathematical models, and computational power to mine for blocks.
Ethereum
Ethereum serves as a decentralized platform where applications operate precisely as coded, void of any potential for disruptions, censorship, fraud, or external intervention. This empowers developers to forge markets, establish ledgers for obligations or agreements, transfer funds, and even pioneer novel concepts that are yet to be conceived, all devoid of intermediaries or the jeopardy of counterparties. These applications are crafted using programming languages, akin to conventional software. Within the Ethereum ecosystem, a distinct language known as Solidity has been cultivated.
Crypto-economics
What is cryptoeconomics? Ethereum developer Vlad Zamfir says that cryptoeconomics is:
Cryptoeconomics is a structured field of study that examines the protocols regulating the creation, allocation, and utilization of commodities and services within a decentralized digital economy. This practical discipline revolves around the crafting and analysis of these protocols.”
Cryptoeconomics originates from the fusion of two terms: Cryptography and Economics. Previously, the decentralized peer-to-peer system faced challenges. Torrent platforms have long utilized this approach for file sharing. However, this practice allowed anyone to share files within the decentralized network. When a file was downloaded, it was expected that the person reciprocated by sharing files with the network for others to access. This gave rise to an issue – individuals were reluctant to continuously share files, which needlessly occupied space on their computers. In 2008, a collective effort led by Satoshi Nakamoto introduced a paper that laid the groundwork for Bitcoin. This marked a pivotal point as it offered people a genuine economic incentive to adhere to the established rules.
Crypto-economics characteristics :
- Built upon blockchain technology, each block within the chain incorporates the hash of its preceding block, forming an unbroken sequence.
- The specific transactional state is subject to alteration as transactions unfold.
- Immutability is a prerequisite for appending new blocks to the blockchain, ensuring that past blocks remain unaltered.
- The blockchain must be both downloadable and readily accessible globally, enabling verification of individual transactions from any location.
Cryptography
Cryptography, or cryptology in this context, involves the application and exploration of methods to safeguard communication from potential eavesdroppers, commonly referred to as adversaries. Bitcoin, on the other hand, represents a decentralized digital cryptocurrency – a type of electronic currency – enabling direct person-to-person transactions across the peer-to-peer bitcoin network, eliminating the requirement for intermediaries.
Bitcoin
Functioning as a virtual currency, the concept of Bitcoin was realized in 2008 through the manifesto of Satoshi Nakamoto. Distinguished as the pioneer blockchain implementation, it employs cryptographic measures to ensure the security of data within the ledgers. Many contemporary systems and applications derive inspiration from the Bitcoin framework.
Blockchain developers can be divided into two categories.
- Core blockchain developer
- Blockchain system developer.
The primary role of a core blockchain developer involves the conceptualization of the blockchain system’s structure, crafting intricate protocols, and devising security measures for the network. They bear the responsibility of overseeing the network’s operations comprehensively. In contrast, a blockchain system developer utilizes these established protocols and architecture to create decentralized applications that operate on blockchain technology. This encompasses tasks such as crafting Smart Contracts, designing interactive interfaces for Dapps (decentralized applications), handling backend development specific to blockchain, and ensuring the smooth operation of the entire technology stack supporting their Dapps.
Skills Required
Acombination of skills is expected by the person who aspires to become a blockchain developer. Let’s discuss them one by one.
Blockchain architecture
One must gain a deep understanding of the technology’s structure and become acquainted with concepts such as cryptographic hash functions, consensus mechanisms, and distributed ledger technology. A highly effective approach to achieve this is by studying the Bitcoin blockchain whitepaper.
Data structure
The craftsmanship of architecture is coupled with the applied knowledge of data structure. The developer has to tune the data constantly to meet their personal requirements. A strong data structure added to the cryptography, builds a secure and immutable system.
Contractual development
After the introduction of Ethereum, blockchains assimilate smart contractual functionality into its systems to apply business logics. It generally involves learning languages like Solidity Viper, Chaincode etc.
Web development
The most basic aspect of learning to be a blockchain developer is to get acquainted with the basic designing of decentralized applications.
But even after knowing the main branches of this technology, how to work upon its practicality is a different thing.
To bring this into practice, establish your own account on a cryptocurrency exchange platform. The process is straightforward, and you don’t have to create a comprehensive portfolio right away. You can start by gaining access to a platform like Coinbase and purchasing a few coins using a simple online wallet. This wallet allows you to access your funds from any server or device connected to the internet around the world. However, it’s advisable to store only the minimum amount needed for trading purposes, as your private key is stored on a separate server, which could attract hackers.
Cryptography:-
As previously explained, cryptography serves the purpose of safeguarding communication and preventing third-party intrusion. Blockchain, on the other hand, is established through the combination of data structure and cryptography. Possessing a profound mastery of this practice is crucial. It involves the process of converting original text into encrypted form, rendering the information resistant to manipulation. For blockchain developers, the skill of cryptography is essential in ensuring data protection. This artistry distinguishes blockchain technology from other contemporary innovations. Noteworthy cryptographic techniques include hash functions like SHA256 and KECCAK 256, which serve as prime examples.
Smart contracts and Tools required
For creating Dapps and contracts, one needs to get familiar with the existing Dapps. There are numerous applications developed every moment on Ethereum. The most popular Dapps are
Decentralized Exchanges (DEX) function as platforms where cryptocurrency trading takes place, mitigating the risk of exchange hacking and theft. Among the notable DEX options are Idex, alongside alternatives such as Bancor and the Token Store. Gaming Dapps provide a unique experience where users can acquire characters from creators, akin to traditional non-blockchain games. However, the distinction lies in the economic aspect, enabling players to freely trade characters with others. Cryptokittis stands as a prime illustration of a gaming Dapp. While the realm of Gambling Dapps has been marred by scams, some have garnered unfavorable reputation. For instance, fomo 3D serves as a cautionary example within this category. Ethereum’s marketplace applications are relatively uncommon, and Decentraland’s marketplace offers a splendid instance of such utilization.
Programming Skills
Blockchain also needs coding to work or even to exist as it has to be a transparent ledger holding on to it’s quality of being immutable and that’s what makes this technology credulous.
One of the coding languages extensively utilized in Blockchain development is one that you might be familiar with from your school days – C++. This assertion is substantiated by Bitcoin, where the core framework of bitcoin, known as bitcoin core, is implemented using C++. However, proficient developers must also embrace other programming languages to avoid limiting their skillset. Ethereum, for instance, employs a combination of various languages including C++, Ruby, Python, Java, Go, Rust, JavaScript, and more.
C++
Incorporating data and functions into ‘objects,’ C++ is a language that facilitates efficient resource management and provides enhanced memory control. C++ enables the development of applications capable of not only orchestrating interactions across multiple endpoints but also swiftly handling their exchanges. As an example, Solc, the compiler for the Solidity programming language, is coded in C++.
Java
Java has become one of the top 3 programming languages for blockchain development. Java programming language is useful in creating highly interactive web pages and making simple and immutable blockchains.
Python
The structure and rationale of this programming language for blockchain mirror the creator’s ambitious vision. To communicate with Ethereum clients, a Python version of web3 is employed, capable of generating abstractions (objects) dynamically to embody a smart contract.
Solidity
Solidity, a contract-based and high-level programming language for blockchain, is gaining traction as a newcomer in the field. An online Integrated Development Environment (IDE) called Remix is dedicated to crafting smart contracts using Solidity. Additionally, expertise in languages such as C++ and Java is crucial for blockchain developers to effectively encode and decode transparent data. These languages serve a dual purpose – not only are they instrumental in developing blockchain applications, but they also serve as a foundation for mastering contract-oriented languages like Simplicity or Solidity.
What does the new kid on the block needs to have in store
We now know in what fields the blockchain developer has to be good at. This technology is growing and changing day by day so one has to be enthusiastic and passionate for learning new things.
- One’s brain should be well versed in regards to the programming languages that are needed to code the data.
- Knowledge for developing Dapps is essential.
- Well acquainted in creating smart contracts.
{Smart contract
functionality needs to be three things:
Deterministic:- When you get the same output on every time on the single
set of inputs.
Terminable:- The contracts are supposed to get terminate at a particular
time limit. And there is a problem with the smart contracts that the program
can execute its function in a time limit, it’s called “halting problem”.
Isolated:- The technology is open to everyone to create contract that raises the possibility of containing viruses and this may affect the whole system and its management. So it’s important to keep the contract safe and shielded from its negative effects. }
4. What qualities the companies are looking for in a blockchain developer is essential to know already.
5. Understanding of financial services, payment processing, credit services.
With its strong reputation for security and cost-effectiveness, blockchain technology has gained substantial popularity among businesses, even attracting industry giants such as IBM and Microsoft. The remarkable surge in demand for blockchain expertise has propelled it to become the fastest-growing skillset among a pool of 5000 skills in today’s competitive market. Beyond mere coding and encryption, the realm of blockchain entails legal considerations, necessitating the expertise of attorneys well-versed in its intricacies – in essence, Blockchain Attorneys. The implementation of distributed ledger technology has significantly reduced operational expenses, leading to an anticipation of heightened demand for blockchain professionals as companies embark on the journey of transitioning from traditional to innovative technology paradigms.
So what steps you have to focus on is understanding the basics, learn how the technology and it’s aspects works, how languages like c++ and java helps to build your coding skills, to learn building smart contracts and having access to industries that leads you to grow and define yourself as a blockchain developer.
Conclusion
Over the next five years, blockchain development is expected to emerge as one of the foremost domains in the realm of technology advancement. There remains a vast expanse to explore within this field, and substantial implementation is anticipated in the years ahead. For aspiring blockchain developers, this insight holds significant value. Understanding the requisite skills to acquire and the strategic career steps to prioritize becomes crucial information to glean. This burgeoning ecosystem calls for dedicated and enthusiastic minds, and having access to such information can greatly assist you in refining your skills to align with industry demands and position yourself attractively to potential employers.
