1. What is a Web3 programming language?
Before getting into a programming language for Web3, let’s first understand what you mean by Web3. It is generally a collection of JavaScript libraries that allows one to interact with the node of Ethereum locally or even remotely. An API is provided to work easily with the blockchain network.
Web3 programming language is a type of development language used for building blockchain applications or smart contracts.
Basic features of Web3 Languages
Choosing the right programming language for building applications is important depending upon your application’s architecture, features, etc. Here are a few features of the web3 programming language:
- Interoperability
- Scalability
- Speed and efficiency
- Can be integrated with other APIs
- Security
2. What types of languages are good for web3 developers?
Here is a list of languages that are widely used for building web3 applications:
2.1 Frontend Programming Languages
It includes traditional front-end languages that developers use for building the front-end of the application like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc. For the front-end development of an application, more emphasis is given to the UI part and hence language with extensive UI libraries is used. Some of the languages that support extensive UI are Dart, JavaScript, TypeScript, and C++.
2.2 Smart Contract Programming Languages
For smart contracts, specific types of web3 programming languages are used, and here are some of them:
Languages for smart contract
1. Solidity
It is the most commonly used programming language for smart contracts. It is a high-level, object-oriented programming language.
By using this language, developers can write smart contracts on any EVM, Ethereum Virtual Machine, or a blockchain that is compatible with Polygon, etc.
Top Companies using Solidity for Smart Contracts:
- PixelCrayons
- SOLULAB
- OpenXcell
- Nord Clan
2. Vyper
It is another blockchain language that is compatible with EVM. It is a pythonic version of solidity that has syntax similar to that of python. It is a simple language that is used for building secure smart contracts and making code simple and readable.
Top Companies using Vyper for Smart Contracts:
- Interexy
- Cygnet Infotech
- Octal IT solution
3. Golang
This language is built by Google and is known for having concurrency features. By using this language, developers can write fast and concurrent programs easily.
Top Companies using Golang for Smart Contracts:
- Uber
- Binance
4. Huff
It is an assembly-level language that enables developers to manually modify the EVM programming stack and to create smart contracts that are highly optimized. It uses layers of abstraction for security and is known for performance.
Top Companies using Huff for Smart Contracts:
- Ripple
- Crypto.com
- Brave browser
5. Rust
It enables developers to write low-level code and hence it is used by Solana and similar cryptocurrencies. It implements controls on the system level, helps in managing memory, and improves the performance of blockchain.
Top Companies using Vyper for Smart Contracts:
- Okcoin
- BitGo
- Block Fi
6. Move
It is a web3 programming language that is developed using Rust and is introduced for developing safer smart contracts. It is used for the creation of Aptos and Sui. Aptos is the first layer of blockchain used for solving scalability and security issues while Sui is used for speed, security, and features like accounts and transactions.
Top Companies using Move for Smart Contracts:
- Deefy
- GuildFi
- Brave browser
7. Cairo
It is a second-layer solution for scaling Ethereum and has zero knowledge-powered scalability. It is also a native language used for writing smart contracts for StarkNet.
Used by:
- Polygon
- Bitfury
- Coin flip
8. Haskell
It is a functional programming language, used for dApp development. For performing a specific task, instructions are written by developers. In this language, functions are used for declaring the desired output.
Used by:
- Okx
- The block
- Terraform labs
Top 10 popular Web3 Programming languages
For each language, which companies use them
Here are the top popular languages used by web3 development companies:
Languages for development
Solidity – it is popularly used for the development of blockchain applications. Companies like Interexy, PixelCrayons, and NordClan use this programming language.
Java- It is used by almost all web3 development companies. Some of them are OpenSea, InfoSystem, Hyperlink, and Polygon.
Python- is mainly used for designing architecture and the companies that use it are, Steem, Hyperledger Fabric, and NEO.
JavaScript- is used by blockchain companies due to the type of framework it provides. Companies like polygon and InfoSystem uses it.
PHP- is another programming language used for the development of blockchain and solutions of different complexities. Almost every company uses it.
C++ – It is the best web3 development language. It is not only used for blockchain development but also for developing cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ripple, EOS, Stellar, etc.
C# – It is released for use as a substitute for java. Since this language comes with loaded features of .NET, C, and SQL, it is highly used for blockchain. It is used by almost every company for building dApps, Smart contracts, and blockchain infrastructure.
Go- is also a top language used for building web3 applications. It has features of scalability, flexibility, and speed just like JavaScript and python. The blockchain solutions that use it are Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric.
Simplicity – it is a high-level coding language and has working similarly to that Haskell which makes coding easy. It is used by both Bitcoin and EVM Ethereum virtual machines.
Ruby – is a high-level, general-purpose programming language that allows the integration of APIs and plugins. Companies like fire blocks, crypto.com, figment, etc use it.
Which Web3 Programming Language to learn
Solidity, Python, JavaScript, C++, and Go will be the key languages used by web3 developers, and hence learning these languages becomes essential. Web3 is gaining a lot of popularity, especially in the gaming space and making a decentralized system. Hence learning this programming language is a plus skill.
Nice write up.