Becoming a smart contract developer is an increasingly appealing career path. This is driven by a variety of factors, including the opportunity to work with transformative technology and the high market demand for these specialized skills.
Furthermore, smart contract development skills are becoming more crucial. In the 1990s, engineers transitioned from the closed world of mainframes to the open databases of the internet. A similar shift is happening today with the emergence of smart contracts. Just as developers then moved to more future-relevant tech stacks, today's developers are pivoting toward Web3 technologies.
Aspiring smart contract developers likely have many questions about making this transition: What is the Web3 developer stack? Which programming languages should I learn? What skills are essential, and how do I acquire them? Below, you will find answers to these questions and more to help you embark on your journey into smart contract development.
Core Programming Languages for Blockchain
The primary language for blockchain smart contracts is Solidity, with Vyper being its main competitor. Unlike interpreted languages like Python, Solidity is a statically-typed, compiled language, meaning you need to generate a binary file before execution. Developed by Gavin Wood in 2014 to address the unique challenges of Ethereum, Solidity is now the default language for all Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible chains.
This means that whether you are developing on Ethereum, Avalanche, Polygon, BSC, or any other EVM chain, you only need to master Solidity. However, some public blockchains do not use the EVM and employ other languages. Solana is a prime example; it uses pre-existing languages like Rust and C/C++ instead of Solidity.
So, how do you choose a blockchain programming language? There are many factors to consider, and there is no single correct answer. Ethereum currently hosts the most dApps and has the most liquidity. Its history has granted it a reputation for reliability. If speed and low cost are not your primary concerns, and you have ecosystem-specific needs, Ethereum is an excellent choice.
You can also deploy contracts on Layer 2 (L2) scaling solutions like Arbitrum, which are EVM-compatible. They "roll up" transactions into compressed bundles, resulting in higher throughput, lower costs, and faster speeds. Other EVM chains each offer their own form of scaling improvements over Ethereum. BSC uses larger transaction blocks, Polygon is a sidechain that sacrifices some decentralization for scalability, and Avalanche employs a novel consensus algorithm to improve transaction speed and cost.
This article will focus on development for EVM chains using Solidity, as it is the most common choice for developers.
Essential Technical Skills
Developers with a background in compiled, lower-level backend languages like C/C++ will often find it easier to learn Solidity programming. Those with web development experience or familiarity with JavaScript and Python will need to adapt to Solidity's development paradigm. You might find yourself performing bitwise operations on variables. However, a full-stack blockchain programmer needs both skill sets.
Most interactions with Solidity smart contracts are facilitated through libraries like web3.js, ethers.js, and web3.py. A good developer can handle the smart contract backend or the JS/Python frontend, but an excellent developer can manage the full stack. Additionally, the OpenZeppelin Contracts library is a valuable dependency, as it saves developers the trouble of writing common contracts, such as token contracts, from scratch.
Perhaps the most critical skill to cultivate is security. The smart contracts you write may eventually handle billions of dollars in value, making it paramount that they are free of vulnerabilities. It is essential to consider potential exploits like reentrancy attacks. Furthermore, because smart contracts often interact with other contract functions, external calls can interrupt your contract's execution flow. This was the cause of the infamous DAO attack, which resulted in the loss of $70 million worth of ETH. For a smart contract developer, a security-first mindset is non-negotiable.
What does the development workflow look like? Are there tools and IDEs that can help? A popular IDE is Remix, a web-based environment that helps compile contracts and deploy them to a chain of your choice. Frameworks like Truffle and Brownie also assist in the development process. To understand the end-to-end process, including how to use these frameworks, we highly recommend the comprehensive smart contract course from Chainlink Labs’ Patrick Collins, available through freeCodeCamp.
To recap, here are some languages, libraries, and tools you should familiarize yourself with to become a smart contract developer:
- Solidity
- JavaScript
- Python
- web3.js / web3.py
- ethers.js
- Truffle
- Brownie
- Remix
The Importance of Community
Community is extremely important in the smart contract space. Innovation moves at a breakneck pace, making it difficult for any individual to keep up alone. This is why the best developers actively network on Twitter, join hackathons to meet other developers and potential investors or employers, pick up bounty work on Gitcoin to aid open-source development, participate in deep-knowledge forums like Smart Contract Research, and chat and help others on Discord.
Hackathons are fantastic places to cultivate smart contract skills. You learn by doing, honing your talents in real-time while building a project, and often receive guidance from respected industry members—who might even become collaborators! The Chainlink 2021 Fall Hackathon was a perfect place to start building smart contracts. With a $550,000 total prize pool, attendance from leading experts and VCs, and thousands of participants, it represented a significant career boost for smart contract developers. 👉 Explore more strategies for engaging with developer communities
Where to Connect
Engaging with the community is crucial. Learn from those more experienced, make friends, help others, and they will help you in return. Discord and Reddit communities are powerful resources for getting real-time assistance and expanding your network of like-minded developers.
- Chainlink Discord
- Hardhat Discord
- ConsenSys Discord
- Brownie Discord
- Ethereum Discord
- Reddit ethdev
Top Learning Resources
A wealth of resources is available to support your learning, from hackathons and blogs to Discord servers and YouTube channels. We've selected the following eight resources that provide an excellent combination of materials for aspiring smart contract developers.
- Solidity, Blockchain, and Smart Contract Course – Beginner to Expert Python Tutorial
- CryptoZombies
- ChainShot
- Chainlink YouTube Channel
- Chainlink Blog
- Chainlink Discord
- Ethereum.org
- ConsenSys Bootcamp
YouTube Tutorials
If you are a visual learner who prefers guided tutorials over solo study, YouTube is an excellent resource. These creators provide outstanding materials for those learning smart contract development, with detailed walkthroughs to follow.
- Dapp University
- Ivan on Tech
- Eat the Blocks
- Patrick Collins
- Austin Griffith
- Nader Dabit
Hackathons
Hackathons are an exciting way to accelerate your developer journey. Push your limits, build on the cutting edge of new technology, get advice from renowned community leaders, and meet investors looking for the next big project—which could be yours. The Chainlink Hackathon is a great place to start, offering a wealth of resources, workshops, prizes, and networking opportunities.
- Chainlink Hackathon
- ETH Global
- ETH India
Taking Your First Step
There are many paths to becoming a smart contract developer. We've outlined some choices, but it's up to you to decide what suits you best. The most important thing is to start: build something interesting, begin exploring, and ask questions—the rest will follow. Whether you are a backend developer, a web developer, or just starting in development, there is a path to success, and many people are willing to help. So, take that first step: join a Discord, read a tutorial, enter a hackathon, and start building the exciting future of Web3.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best programming language for smart contracts?
Solidity is the most widely used language for smart contract development, especially on EVM-compatible blockchains like Ethereum, Polygon, and Avalanche. For non-EVM chains like Solana, Rust is the predominant language. The "best" language often depends on which blockchain ecosystem you want to build in.
Do I need to know JavaScript or Python to be a smart contract developer?
While the core smart contract logic is written in a language like Solidity, you will often need JavaScript (with web3.js or ethers.js) or Python (with web3.py) to build the frontend or backend applications that interact with your deployed contracts. Full-stack blockchain development typically requires knowledge of both a contract language and a traditional web language.
How important is security in smart contract development?
Security is arguably the most critical aspect of smart contract development. Unlike traditional software, deployed contracts are often immutable and can manage significant financial value. A single vulnerability can lead to the irreversible loss of funds. Developers must prioritize learning about common exploits, conducting thorough testing, and having contracts audited by security professionals.
What is the quickest way to learn smart contract development?
A combination of structured learning and hands-on building is often the most effective path. Start with a comprehensive course to understand the fundamentals. Then, immediately apply that knowledge by building small projects, participating in hackathons, and contributing to open-source initiatives. Engaging with developer communities for support is also invaluable.
What are the career prospects for a smart contract developer?
The demand for skilled smart contract developers remains high across the Web3 industry, including in Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), and gaming. Roles can be found in established companies, startups, and through freelance DAO and grant work. The field offers competitive salaries and the opportunity to work on innovative technology.
Can I become a smart contract developer without a traditional computer science degree?
Yes, absolutely. The Web3 space is known for being meritocratic, where your skills and portfolio of projects often matter more than formal credentials. Many successful developers are self-taught or have transitioned from other fields. Demonstrating your ability through a strong GitHub profile and participation in the community is key.