The sudden rise in the popularity of blockchain solutions and web3 got the attention of almost all business verticals. Statista predicts that this sector will grow to a market value of $39 billion by 2025. No wonder users worldwide are eager to learn more about web3 development and its associated technologies, as it has so much growth potential. Web3’s rapid growth also has resulted in a wave of decentralized applications (dApps) on different blockchain networks. However, finding the right programming language to use when building dApps or blockchain protocols can be confusing.
With a list of the 10 best programming languages for web3 development, this post will help you choose the best web3 development programming language for your needs. Besides, if you learn about these web3 programming languages, it will be easier for you to launch your web3 product.
What languages are best for web3 developers?
Two main types of programming languages are relevant for web3 developers: front-end programming languages and smart contract programming languages.
Smart contract programming languages
A smart contract is an irreversible set of instructions executed on a blockchain whenever a condition is met. These languages are the basis of dApps, where you will find the key differences between web3 programming languages and other programming languages.
A dApp can execute a smart contract to access the relevant accounts and transfer tokens through the blockchain when it recognizes that a transaction was sent. A smart contract can transfer ownership to NFTs when a player acquires tokenized (NFT) in-game gear. Since smart contracts are an entirely new type of program, specific programming languages are designed for them. Programming languages for smart contracts allow developers to create contracts that secure access to valuable assets, transfer ownership, guarantee settlement of transactions, and many other things.
Front-end programming languages
Front-end programming languages are traditional languages used by software developers to create aesthetically pleasing, easily navigable apps. They include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Web3 developers should learn front-end programming languages with extensive UI libraries and APIs to connect with their favorite backend service. These languages are most commonly used in software engineering.
The selection of front-end languages for web3 development is done in the same manner as other software development projects. You should look for languages supporting flexible UI libraries such as JavaScript, TypeScript and C++.
The web3 programming languages we will cover in this article include:
- Solidity
- Java
- JavaScript
- C++
- HTML
- Python
- Rust
- Golang
- Ruby
- Vyper
Let’s explore the most widely used and trusted programming languages used for web3 development purposes.
1. Solidity
Solidity is the best programming language for web3 development. It is also the most popular blockchain language. JavaScript, C++ and Powershell have greatly influenced it. Vitalik Buterin was the creator of the Solidity programming language, and he is the genius behind Ethereum. This web3 programming language is well known for its accuracy, statically typed code, developer friendliness, ease of use, and accessibility to debuggers. The Solidity programming language was designed with blockchain in mind. It is currently one of the most popular languages for web3 development.
2. Java
Java is an object-oriented, class-based programming language that is also the official language for Android mobile app development. Java is also a popular language to use for web3 and blockchain programming. Java is a derivative of C-syntax. It allows developers to create smart contracts using object-oriented programming (OOP), simple memory cleaning and extensive libraries.
Though it is surprising to many developers that Java is the most used language for blockchain programming, it is the preferred language for many prominent blockchain networks, including NEM, IOTA, NEO, and Hyperledger Fabric.
3. JavaScript
JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages for creating interactive web pages. It’s a text-based programming language that acts as a third layer to HTML and CSS. JavaScript also allows developers to create dynamically updated content. JavaScript is used for most interactive web development. Thanks to its wide range of libraries and frameworks, it is a leading web development tool. JavaScript is also a popular and versatile web3 programming language. In fact, JavaScript is the foundation for a lot of other top programming languages.
4. C++
C++ is not just one of the most popular blockchain programming languages but also a common language in the tech industry. It allows developers to have control over memory and the ability to move semantics. C++ also supports multi-threading, object-oriented features and a variety of other features. It also allows web3 developers to combine data with functions into one module.
C++ was also the programming language used to create the first “bitcoin-qt“ client implementation. Ripple and Litecoin are just a few prominent blockchain networks created using C++. It also helps reduce development costs because it allows programs to be reused. C++ offers a wide range of tools and libraries for developers. However, C++ is more difficult than other blockchain programming languages like JavaScript, Python, and Solidity. C++ is a popular choice for developers because they have complete control over their CPU and memory usage.
5. HTML
HyperText Markup Language or HTML is a standard markup language that developers can use to organize web content. Many web developers consider HTML the first layer of web2. It is essential for creating headings and paragraphs. HTML can also be used to embed images and videos on web pages. It is the standard language for displaying web pages; HTML and JavaScript, and CSS are the heart of much of web development. HTML is also one of the most used blockchain programming languages. This is because HTML provides the foundation for a large number of websites.
6. Python
Python is an object-oriented, interpreted programming language. It allows developers to create prototypes quickly and is often used by software developers for testing and building control. Python is rapidly becoming one of the most popular web3 programming languages. As Python can be interpreted, this can cause problems when creating advanced cryptographic operations for blockchains. Python compensates for this issue by managing many overheads related to performance. Python developers also have access to a wide range of plugins and libraries. The language is simple to learn, which allows developers to build their ideas quickly.
7. Rust
Rust is a statically typed, open-source, multi-paradigm programming language with high memory efficiency. Rust was developed by Graydon Hoare and is rapidly becoming one of the most widely used blockchain programming languages that allow developers to create reliable software and manage low-level details quickly. Rust also eliminates many bugs and powers performance-critical computations. Rust can be easily integrated with other programming languages. It reduces friction in problem-solving and lowers barriers to entry developers of blockchain. Rust also allows developers to accomplish more in a shorter time. Rust is an indispensable tool for creating dApps on Solana.
8. Golang
Robert Griesemer and Rob Pike created Golang(Go), a statically typed and compiled programming language. It uses a similar syntax as C but has memory safety and garbage collection. Go supports structural typing and CSP-style concurrency. Go is easy to learn and reduces development time. Go is used by some of the largest companies, like NetFlix, Uber, Paypal, etc., to create scalable apps with minimal friction. The Go programming language allows you to easily create command-line interfaces that are elegant and efficient for a wide range of new applications.
9. Ruby
Ruby is an object-oriented, dynamic, open-source scripting language that can be used for general purposes and is also flexible. Ruby was created in the mid-90s and designed by Yukihiro Mizumoto. It aims to simplify productivity. Ruby is easy to use; it reads and supports a wide range of programming paradigms. Ruby, as it is a scripting language, cannot communicate directly with the hardware. Instead, developers create a text file that is parsed and converted into code. However, Ruby uses object-oriented programming to increase developers’ access to reusable code and improve efficiency.
10. Vyper
Vyper, a Solidity replacement that draws inspiration from Python, is called Solidity Alternative. It is similar to Python but has fewer features. It allows developers to interact directly with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), just like Solidity. However, Vyper handles security and control structuring differently than Solidity. Vyper was created to reduce the security flaws that Solidity has. Functionalities like infinite loops, modifiers, and recursive calls are examples of such flaws. Vyper is a great option for smart contract developers who want to try something different.
Final Verdict
This concludes our list of the top 10 web3 programming languages. Each web3 programming language discussed in this article has its own features, functionalities and benefits. Choosing the right programming language for your web3 project development requirements is important.
After choosing the best programming language for web3 development, you will need to locate a trustworthy web3 development company to give your idea the right shape. Look for a partner that is proficient in the popular programming languages, as mentioned here and has demonstrated expertise in blockchain and developing web3 solutions.
