What should I follow to be a Blockchain Developer?

[Tiku2020]

Hello, I am student and I got to know about Blockchain Programmers and I am very much interested in it. But I don't know where to start with! I know the basics of Python but I don't know which language should I learn to be a Blockchain Developer. I started learning Java a few days back but I am lost here. Shall I continue with java to proceed in Blockchain Development? Or shall I learn JavaScript and then learn Node Js.? Or I can even proceed with Python? Your replies will be appreciated 😊😊

[NotATether]

You best route for becoming a blockhain developer is to take an online course.

It's possible to learn about blockchain using Python. Most of the blockchain tutorials for python I've seen are geared towards beginners so I'd recommend you take one of those first.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=pZSegEXtgAE
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/python_blockchain/index.htm
https://developer.ibm.com/technologies/blockchain/tutorials/develop-a-blockchain-application-from-scratch-in-python/
https://www.codecademy.com/learn/introduction-to-blockchain
https://www.udemy.com/course/build-your-own-cryptocurrency-in-48-hours/

I assume you don't know Javascript so I think you should avoid blockchain NodeJS tutorials unless you're looking to get hired by big companies using Hyperledger Fabric (a buzzword), then you should learn Javascript as it only has an SDK for that and Go. If not, you're good to go. There aren't a lot of blockchain tutorials for Java so I'd avoid that completely.

I should emphasise, Python is mainly used for trivial blockchain applications. Large projects like Bitcoin, Litecoin and other big cryptos are written in C++ because it's faster than Python. But these are community projects so you're unlikely to find employers for C++, except for Blockstream, Chainalysis, the various exchanges, and other companies I can't remember off the top of my head.

So use Python only for learning purposes, you only need to know Python basics to understand what the Python blockchain courses are doing. Serious companies will use either C++ or Javascript.

When you finish with all that you should study the Bitcoin developer documentation https://developer.bitcoin.org/, it will give you an idea of what a production blockchain is supposed to have.

[Tiku2020]

You best route for becoming a blockhain developer is to take an online course.

It's possible to learn about blockchain using Python. Most of the blockchain tutorials for python I've seen are geared towards beginners so I'd recommend you take one of those first.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=pZSegEXtgAE
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/python_blockchain/index.htm
https://developer.ibm.com/technologies/blockchain/tutorials/develop-a-blockchain-application-from-scratch-in-python/
https://www.codecademy.com/learn/introduction-to-blockchain
https://www.udemy.com/course/build-your-own-cryptocurrency-in-48-hours/

I assume you don't know Javascript so I think you should avoid blockchain NodeJS tutorials unless you're looking to get hired by big companies using Hyperledger Fabric (a buzzword), then you should learn Javascript as it only has an SDK for that and Go. If not, you're good to go. There aren't a lot of blockchain tutorials for Java so I'd avoid that completely.

I should emphasise, Python is mainly used for trivial blockchain applications. Large projects like Bitcoin, Litecoin and other big cryptos are written in C++ because it's faster than Python. But these are community projects so you're unlikely to find employers for C++, except for Blockstream, Chainalysis, the various exchanges, and other companies I can't remember off the top of my head.

So use Python only for learning purposes, you only need to know Python basics to understand what the Python blockchain courses are doing. Serious companies will use either C++ or Javascript.

When you finish with all that you should study the Bitcoin developer documentation https://developer.bitcoin.org/, it will give you an idea of what a production blockchain is supposed to have.

Thankx for the reply😊 i see and I got your point...I want to work in it and if I find it suitable I may even take it as my career option. I know some basics of JavaScript which I learnt in a Website building tutorial. So I won't be like completely new to JS. As I have said I am a student so I have much time to learn it...I will look though it and find a suitable course in JavaScript Blockchain Development😊

If you have any suggestions you can share with me. I will be extremely happy to get some knowledge

[NotATether]

If you have any suggestions you can share with me. I will be extremely happy to get some knowledge

A simple google search for "blockchain course javascript" turns up with a few paid courses from Udemy and Packtpub but I managed to find a free course so you can test if studying blockchains written in Javascript is something you want to commit yourself to.

https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2020/02/cryptocurrency-blockchain-node-js/

Then after you read that, in order to get somewhat of a job experience around Javascript blockchains, you buy one of these:

https://www.udemy.com/course/build-a-blockchain-in-javascript/
https://www.udemy.com/course/blockchain-programming-using-javascript/
https://www.packtpub.com/product/learn-blockchain-by-building-your-own-in-javascript-video/9781800209664
https://www.packtpub.com/product/learn-javascript-build-your-own-blockchain-video/9781789612516

[MiltonVines]

 Hello !
I myself study the Java script language and received advice that it is best to learn the language with the help of a person who actually works as a programmer, because the benefits of different courses are minimal.

[BitMaxz]

I have two source that I think will be enough to become a Blockchain developer.
You must learn not only one programming language I think you will need to expland your knowledge about blockchain and learn more programming languages like C# and C++ which is also one of languages needed to become a blockchain developer.


Here's my two big source.
- https://github.com/jashmenn/bitcoin-reading-list
- https://github.com/openblockchains/awesome-blockchains

Try the second link and go start reading the "DIY Blockchain" it may lead you to build your own blockchain with any languages.

[Jazmin Leslie]

Blockchain related programming can now be divided into three parts:

• the first part is the programming of the underlying chain, which includes the development of underlying chains such as Ethereum, bitcoin and Polkadot . The main language of this part is golang or rust;
• The second part is the smart contract, which mainly implements decentralized contracts similar to sushi, uniswap, AAVE, compound, etc. the main programming language is solidity;
• The third part is the development related to Web3, which is used to interact with smart contracts. This part mainly focuses on the front end, JavaScript, ECMAScript, typescript, Vue, react and Web3 calls. In addition, Web3 is the link to interact with smart contracts. It is implemented in many languages. Python, Java and other packages have their implementation. At the beginning, the suggestion for learning is JavaScript,Solidity .

[kxwhalexk]

This is exactly the problem I have been looking for. I found that just reading the white paper cannot understand the project fundamentally, so I made up my mind to learn C++, which is very painful, especially for someone who has no programming foundation.

I will check the recommended links in this topic one by one.Thanks

[pooya87]

Blockchain related programming can now be divided into three parts:

There are two problems here.
First of all there is no such thing as "main programming language" in most cases and just because certain things have been written in a certain language that doesn't make it the "main language".
Secondly you are focusing on "token creation" and their "platforms" instead of the topic at hand which is "blockchain development". This means you are also forgetting one of the most important parts of developing a blockchain which is cryptography.

[Wind_FURY]

A question for developers. What is a “blockchain developer”? Someone who is a true computer scientist who has majored in computer science and/or applied cryptography, like some of the Core developers, or someone who has studied a Codecademy course and learned solidity?

[NotATether]

A question for developers. What is a “blockchain developer”? Someone who is a true computer scientist who has majored in computer science and/or applied cryptography, like some of the Core developers, or someone who has studied a Codecademy course and learned solidity?

Most job descriptions will only take the latter. Case in point: I applied to a bunch of blockchain jobs (minus the degree) the other week and never heard back from most of them. Two were actually kind enough to actually send a mail saying I was turned down.

Code courses on blockchain won't do much to make you a "blockchain developer" except to maybe land you at some DeFi startup. Bigger corps like Amazon want actual CS majors who specialize in writing blockchain programs and not just someone who racked up a bunch of certs online.

[BlackHatCoiner]

A question for developers. What is a “blockchain developer”? Someone who is a true computer scientist who has majored in computer science and/or applied cryptography, like some of the Core developers, or someone who has studied a Codecademy course and learned solidity?

A question that may answer your question: “What is an A.I developer?”. Probably the one who works on artificial intelligence projects and is keen on doing it. It's the one who has experience and knowledge on that subject. Any company that'll want to hire people who have worked with A.I before, will examine them by their knowledge.

In that case, “blockchain developers” are those who're interesting in this technology and have worked on it. If you've forked projects like c-lightning or Electrum and worked on those, you essentially developed them. You developed a program that works in a blockchain ecosystem. You're, thus, a blockchain developer.

[pooya87]

A question for developers. What is a “blockchain developer”? Someone who is a true computer scientist who has majored in computer science and/or applied cryptography, like some of the Core developers, or someone who has studied a Codecademy course and learned solidity?

These days it seems like the definition is same as someone who can create a shittoken so the later definition sometimes is used to defined a "blockchain developer" which is wrong in my opinion. A "blockchain developer" should be someone who is familiar with the blockchain technology not just know how to create a garbage. It doesn't necessarily have to mean someone who is an expert in cryptography but they have to have some basic understanding.

If you've forked projects like c-lightning or Electrum and worked on those, you essentially developed them. You developed a program that works in a blockchain ecosystem. You're, thus, a blockchain developer.

That's more like "contributor".

[Wind_FURY]

A question for developers. What is a “blockchain developer”? Someone who is a true computer scientist who has majored in computer science and/or applied cryptography, like some of the Core developers, or someone who has studied a Codecademy course and learned solidity?

These days it seems like the definition is same as someone who can create a shittoken so the later definition sometimes is used to defined a "blockchain developer" which is wrong in my opinion. A "blockchain developer" should be someone who is familiar with the blockchain technology not just know how to create a garbage. It doesn't necessarily have to mean someone who is an expert in cryptography but they have to have some basic understanding.

Which should return to people who want to be “blockchain developers”. Do they want to study, or self-learn to be like a Core developer? Satoshi did it, I believe he was a self-learned coder, but he might already have been an Applied Cryptography major, or a Mathematics major.

Or do they merely want to develop a shittoken?

Whatever these newbie-coders choose, they should start their journey by learning about the Open Source movement and the Cypherpunks movement. That might help them choose which path to take.

[pooya87]

Which should return to people who want to be “blockchain developers”. Do they want to study, or self-learn to be like a Core developer? Satoshi did it, I believe he was a self-learned coder, but he might already have been an Applied Cryptography major, or a Mathematics major.

Or do they merely want to develop a shittoken?

Whatever these newbie-coders choose, they should start their journey by learning about the Open Source movement and the Cypherpunks movement. That might help them choose which path to take.

The main problem is that most of them want to make money and quickly too. And even though the ICO hype is dead but the token creation under different names is still happening with a much weaker hype. As that hype also dies the skills of a "token creator" is not useful for anything else but the skills of a "blockchain developer" is.

[BlackHatCoiner]

Satoshi did it, I believe he was a self-learned coder, but he might already have been an Applied Cryptography major, or a Mathematics major.

He was probably very familiar with cryptography, coding and mathematics. He was also specifically and very probably familiar with the openssl library.

Whatever these newbie-coders choose, they should start their journey by learning about the Open Source movement and the Cypherpunks movement. That might help them choose which path to take.

I think that most of them get lured by projects that'll make them richer and think they have the most potential such as Ethereum. My recommendation is to learn Bitcoin first and then understand the other, more complex projects which are consider “smarter” than that. Understanding this industry requires nothing, but common sense.