Noteworthy Programming languages to Consider for Blockchain App Development!

Noteworthy Programming languages to Consider for Blockchain App Development!
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Blockchain app development is gaining momentum at a fast pace and this trend is here to stay. Blockchain solutions have proven their worth as game-changers in almost every industry vertical. Here are some interesting stats on Blockchain adoption as researched by the online portal DEMANDSAGE:
  • As of January 2023, more than 85 million global users had Bitcoin block explorer Blockchain wallets.
  • As recorded in January 2023, the average Bitcoin transactions executed in one single day were between 291015 and 205314.
  • By the year 2024, the global expenditure on Blockchain apps and solutions will reach $19 billion
Developing a disruptive Blockchain application or solution is a lucrative option for entrepreneurs and investors. However, businesses planning to build a Blockchain solution should understand the basics of Blockchain programming before jump-starting their project or proceeding to hire Blockchain app development services. This post discusses the offerings of the top Blockchain programming languages. After reading this post you will be able to figure out which language would be the best fit for your Blockchain use case.

Top Programming languages for Blockchain Development

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Solidity

Solidity is an object-oriented Blockchain programming language specifically designed to create smart contracts and decentralized applications that run on the EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine). Ethereum is a massive computing platform based on Blockchain; its ecosystem is one of the most crucial components of Blockchain app development. The creators of Ethereum have developed Solidity and provide active support to this high-level programming language for fulfilling their in-platform requirements. Influenced by other programming languages like Java, JavaScript, Python, and C++; Solidity has proved its worth as one of the best languages for writing smart contracts.
Features
Solidity is flexible, stable, and promises a good accuracy rate. It comes with numerous disruptive features like variadic return and static typing. It supports concepts such as user-defined functions, inheritance properties, and libraries. Solidity comes with an easy learning curve and enables access to tools like debuggers, JS infrastructures, etc. Solidity has several type-safe functions due to the presence of ABI (Application Binary Interface).
Use Cases
Solidity is used for developing Ethereum smart contracts and Chainlink smart contracts. Chainlink is a decentralized Oracle network used for on-chain as well as off-chain Blockchain computations. Another use case of Solidity is the compound protocol on Ethereum Blockchain. This is an autonomous interest rate protocol involving algorithms. Solidity is also used for developing Uniswap. Uniswap is a decentralized crypto trading platform involving a network of decentralized finance apps governed by a community.

Python

Python is one of the most popular Blockchain programming languages. Its robust nature and versatility speed up the development time. Python has a simple English-like syntax that reduces the lines of coding and so, is a perfect pick for newbie coders. Python programming suits both approaches – scripting, and base. It is a high-level language that can be effortlessly integrated with other programming languages like Java, C++, etc. It functions on various platforms including Mac, Linux, Windows, and Raspberry.
Features
Python is object-oriented, easy to code, and extensively portable. It offers strong open-source language support, OOP support, rapid prototyping, access to a dynamic architecture, and dynamic memory allocation. The availability of multiple online resources like libraries, plugins, and development manuals facilitates Blockchain app development; developers get the solution to almost every issue faced during Blockchain projects. Libraries like Numba speeds up coding without compromising on crucial factors like security and performance. Python fares better in performing complicated mathematical operations and handling Big data as compared to most other programming languages.
Use Cases
It is used to write smart context for Hyperledger Fabric, NEO contracts, Steemit, and develop cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Bitcoin.

Java

This is a popular platform-independent Blockchain programming language that is widely used for developing decentralized applications and smart contracts. The language is derived from C-Syntax and functions on the WORA (Write Once Run Anywhere) concept. Its ubiquitous nature allows one to use Java for almost every web system. As such, the code written by programmers is highly portable and can be run on every device that has JVM (Java Virtual Machine).
Features
Java’s offerings are manifold. Its Portability makes it an apt choice for Blockchain development projects. Java comes with an extensive API (Application Programming Interface), that includes multiple Java classes, packages, and interfaces. Owing to its multi-threaded nature, you utilize the CPU to the fullest. It’s a developer-friendly language and can support heavy APIs like object-oriented programming based on its class. Java offers adequate libraries and simplifies the process of memory cleaning. Using Java’s security manager, you can define access rules for a specific class; this minimizes the chances of security vulnerabilities. Java’s programming is based on Java Virtual Machine and is not dependent on any specific system-based infrastructure. Hence, its capabilities are not limited by a device’s architecture and it can handle a huge number of users on a Blockchain network simultaneously.
Use Cases
The use case examples include creating Blockchains on platforms like Hyperledger Fabric, Ethereum, NEO, IOTA, etc.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a popular web language and is pre-installed in most PCs and so, it becomes easy to build Blockchain solutions with JS.
Features
JavaScript is a lightweight, object-oriented, and prototype-based scripting language that provides support for functional programming. JS can easily handle asynchronous actions and the communications taking place between nodes. It comes with a wide range of tools and libraries that facilitate Blockchain app development.
Use Cases
Using JavaScript, Blockchain app developers can connect an app’s front end to Ethereum’s network and smart contracts. JS is has also been used in Hyperledger Fabric.

PHP

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is an open-source and object-oriented programming language that can be used to develop Blockchain solutions of various complexity levels. The language is straightforward and simple and offers an easy learning curve.
Features
PHP is platform-independent and powered by the Zend Engine; so, it can be written on a wide variety of OSs. It offers a highly configurable library that comes in handy for developers. Its interactive pages enable one to sail through complex requirements. PHP has a built-in database connection module; this reduces the hassles and speeds up the development time during web development projects.
Use Cases
PHP is used for smart contract development.

Go

This Google-developed language has gained traction as one of the top Blockchain programming languages. Go is an open-source and statically typed language. It offers benefits like speed, user-friendliness, flexibility, and scalability that make it suitable for Blockchain development.
Features
Go comes with a powerful library containing functions & packages. It provides organized syntaxes. It enables you to run multiple processes simultaneously without compromising on memory resources. Despite being a static language, Go gives developers a feel of being dynamic.
Use Cases
Examples of its use cases are Go-Ethereum (Ethereum-based project written in Go) and GO-Hyperledger Fabric.

Ruby

Ruby is a high-level and general-purpose programming language that comes with cross-platform compatibility. This open-source language is developer-friendly and focuses on simplicity and high productivity. It can be installed in Windows & POSIX and can be connected to Oracle, MySQL, Sybase, and DB2.
Features
Ruby is a multi-paradigm language that has exceptional memory allocation abilities. It is an interpreted and scripting language. The feature of multiple-language adaptability makes Ruby a good choice for Blockchain app development.
Use Cases
Ruby allows developers to program Blockchain solutions using third-party plugins and APIs.

Rholang

Rholang is newer as compared to other Blockchain programming languages. It comes with an easy-to-understand syntax. It is reliable, speedy, and user-friendly and provides high accuracy levels. Rholang employs a functional programming approach instead of an object-oriented programming approach.
Use Cases
Rholang is used for developing smart contracts and other high-end Blockchain-based projects.

Simplicity

This language was designed to minimize the low-level understanding of cryptocurrencies. Simplicity is reliable and offers the security of funds, an offering that provides it an edge over many other Blockchain programming languages. Simplicity is in harmony with the “Elements platform” of Blockstream. Simplicity is a viable option for creating sophisticated and secured smart contracts in Blockchain environments.
Use Cases
Simplicity is compatible with the Blockchain-based platform Ethereum. It reduces the complex functionality of the Bitcoin Script by enabling a low-level understanding of the Bitcoin Script. It’s a good option for coding smart contracts.

SQL

SQL (Structured Query Language) is one of the most recent Blockchain programming languages that can be used for creating secure and effective solutions. This is an IBM-created language meant for facilitating communication with databases like SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL. With SQL, users can store data queries and also manipulate and raise those queries.
Use Cases
Aergo is an important use case of Blockchain development in SQL. It is a Blockchain project that offers ready-to-use solutions to companies that work with technologies like Coinstack or Blocko. SQL can also be used for developing robust business-centric smart contracts.

CX

CX is one of the most sought-after Blockchain programming languages that can function as a contractual digital intermediary.
Features
Its features include a simplified error control process and access to pointers, arrays, and propelled cuts. CX enables developers to effortlessly manipulate programs and apply vectors, pointers, forced reductions, etc.
Use Cases
CX when integrated with the programming language Go, gives businesses an escape from critical issues like discretionary code execution steps. CX integrates well with Open Graphics Library (OpenGL). This integration is leveraged by Blockchain developers to gain advantages regarding GPU capacity.

C++

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that can be used for creating a wide variety of applications like finance solutions, AR/VR apps, 3D gaming apps, etc. It is a robust, flexible, & object-oriented programming language that is capable of managing resource-intensive apps smoothly. It’s a multi-paradigm language and follows the OOPs technique. This language is developer-friendly and offers ease of usage. C++ is one of those Blockchain programming languages that promises a faster execution time.
Features
Its offerings include efficient memory control, function overloading, and effective CPU management. C++ can effortlessly run parallel and non-parallel threads. It can isolate the code for different data structures as well. The capability of run-time polymorphism results in improved app performance. Its data-hiding capability strengthens the security quotient. There’s also the option for moving semantics to copy data productively.
Use Cases
C++ is used for developing smart contracts on the EOS Blockchain and developing cryptocurrencies such as Stellar, Litecoin, Bitcoin, EOS, and Ripple.

C#

C# is an open-source and object-oriented programming language created by Microsoft. It happens to be one of the most popular Blockchain programming languages. It can be used to build scalable applications with .NET compatibility. C# is a great pick for crafting powerful codes with cross-platform compatibility.
Features
C# is an Extensible Markup language and can function as a support for distributed systems. With this language, programmers can create highly portable codes that run on a wide variety of hardware and OSs including Windows, Mac, Android, Linux, etc. The assembly control feature makes it easier for developers to handle issues like version control. The OOPs feature in C# helps in optimizing the performance of Blockchain solutions and apps.
Use Cases
C# has been used in NEO in combination with other programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, Java, & Go. C# has been used Stratis. This is a Blockchain-as-a-service providing platform powered by Microsoft. IOTA, an open-source distributed ledger and cryptocurrency, is another use case example.

Vyper

Vyper is one of the newest Blockchain programming languages. It is compatible with EVM and its syntax is similar to that of Python 3’s. Vyper can be used as an alternative to the popular Blockchain programming language Solidity.

Concluding Views:

All the aforementioned Blockchain programming languages come with distinct offerings and are suitable for specific use cases. You need to pick the language based on your use case requirements. A thorough knowledge of the offerings of these languages will help you to make the right decision while choosing the tech stacks for your Blockchain project. A good understanding of these programming languages will also prove beneficial when you’re discussing tech stack selection, with the Blockchain App Development Company to whom you’ve outsourced your project.

Tips to Pick the most suitable Blockchain Development Company for your Upcoming Project?

Tips to Pick the most suitable Blockchain Development Company for your Upcoming Project?
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Blockchain app development is gaining prominence and Blockchain business models have become the buzzword of modern times. Here are some amazing statistics on Blockchain implementation researched by the renowned online portal techjury.net:
    • There were more than 81 million registered Blockchain wallets as of March 2022.
    • The Blockchain market is predicted to generate a revenue of approximately 20 billion globally by the year 2024.
    • Banks can minimize their infrastructure costs by 30% with Blockchain solutions.
    • Blockchain implementation can help finance firms save up to $ 12 Billion per year.
  • As per healthcare weekly.com, healthcare weekly.com 40% of healthcare executives consider Blockchain development as one of their top priorities.
    The above stats indicate the soaring popularity & immense scope of Blockchain app development. Needless to say, businesses across diverse domains are leveraging the potential of decentralization, immutability, transparency, and high-grade security offered by Blockchain solutions.
    However, Blockchain implementation is no cakewalk. Therefore, most businesses utilizing this disruptive technology are seeking assistance from professional Blockchain development services. But, picking a Blockchain development agency that suits you best is not an easy task either. Here are certain tips and factors to consider while choosing Blockchain services.

    Checklist to Select Blockchain Development Services


    blockchain app development services
 
  • Consultation by Blockchain Experts

     
    Do you have an excellent idea for your Blockchain development project and can’t wait to get it implemented? Well, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Blockchain implementation is way more complex as compared to other technologies and one single mistake can spoil the objective of your project. And, owing to the amount of time and expenses involved in Blockchain app development projects, you can’t afford to make any mistakes. So, you need to validate the practicality, correctness, and effectiveness of your project idea before you dive in. Moreover, you must understand how a Blockchain solution works and how it can benefit your business. This will help you to form an actionable vision of Blockchain development and figure out whether your business needs a Blockchain solution. Furthermore, you need to clearly determine your Blockchain-based project’s vision beforehand; so that you can communicate your specific set of requirements to the Blockchain developers who are going to execute your project. These are the reasons why you need Blockchain consultation services from resources who are well-versed in Blockchain projects.
    Consultation from experts is not only beneficial in the ideation phase but also at every phase of the product development lifecycle. Hence, the Blockchain app development company you choose must provide consultation services through all project stages. If your technology partner simply executes your idea without validating or enhancing it, you might come across roadblocks during the later stages of the project. A professional Blockchain agency will provide you with a dedicated team of consultants. These consultants guide you through the right path and help you understand how Blockchain implementation will impact your business.
  • This is how the consultation process works. Blockchain experts discuss the project idea with clients at the very beginning of the project. They understand the project idea, your requirements, and the outcomes you expect from the envisaged Blockchain solution. Thereafter, consultants analyze the idea and its effectiveness and match it with your requirements. Then, they offer the right advice on the practical implementation of the envisioned project model and add their inputs on enhancing its productivity. They suggest an approach and a product development roadmap that best fits into your Blockchain solution requirement model. They also propose a productive strategy when any mid-project updates need to be implemented based on their client’s suggestions.

    Choose Quality Over Cost

    Settling for a low-cost Blockchain development vendor may not prove fruitful in the long run. Productive Blockchain app development requires a great deal of technical knowledge, expertise, innovation, and experience. Low-cost resources may lack these essential prerequisites and you are likely to face product-related issues. And, if you need to revamp the entire project, later on, it will be a costly affair. So always prioritize quality over cost.

    Technical Expertise, Necessary Skillsets, & Efficiency

    Blockchain implementation requires sound knowledge and extensive experience to deliver productive outcomes. Costly mistakes are likely to happen if your Blockchain resources lack the necessary skillsets & technical expertise. So, it’s important to check your Blockchain service provider’s offerings.
    Research thoroughly to obtain information on the Blockchain agency’s approach, perspective, and the tech stacks they work with. Companies offering Blockchain development services should offer a dynamic team of talented Blockchain developers with multiple specialists like software developers, smart contract resources, etc. Generally speaking, Blockchain resources should have experience in working with programming languages such as Angular, Node.js, JavaScript, Solidity, etc., and tech stacks like IPFS, Hardhat, Truffle, Metamask, etc. Some of the most sought-after Blockchain use cases include smart contracts; DeFi, DAO, DApps, crypto wallet integration, cross-border payments, etc. You need to also check whether your Blockchain app development vendor follows the latest trends and adheres to standard practices.
    You can collect such information by visiting the company’s website and taking a look at their portfolio as well as the previously delivered projects. You can also go through their case studies, blogs, articles, and success stories to obtain insights. Do not forget to ask your technology partner about the coding standards and practices they follow. Ask them about the project management techniques, their way of handling mid-project changes, and the approach they would adopt to address crisis situations.

    Domain-specific Experience

    These days, Blockchain implementation is not limited to finance and banking. It is becoming a game-changer for multiple industries like healthcare, real estate, supply chain, aviation, etc. So, it’s important to check whether the agency you are planning to hire for your project has a prior experience in Blockchain app development in your niche. Experienced teams will be well-versed in domain-specific requirements and can create intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. Domain-specific knowledge can be an additional advantage in shaping your project idea into a fruitful solution. Experienced Blockchain app development services have been in the market for a certain time and as such are aware of the market trends and best practices. Besides, they can handle complex developmental challenges and provide valuable suggestions regarding Blockchain development.

    Custom Blockchain App Development

    Standard, pre-defined, or previously-structured Blockchain solutions are not always suitable to meet a business’s objectives or resolve pain areas. If the structure of a business is complex, it needs a customized approach. So, if your business falls under this category, choose a Blockchain app development vendor that will understand and analyze your specific requirements and propose a Blockchain solution that will fulfill your unique goals. It will be great if your technology partner can create a whitepaper for documenting the customized design specifications that are going to be implemented.

    Agile Methodology

    Today, an agile development methodology is preferred over a fixed prototype model. Agility provides the much-needed scope for evolution, improvements, last-minute modifications as per ongoing market requirements, and rolling out post-launch updates to stay relevant. An agile model refers to the process of breaking the product development process into short sprints. Simply put, instead of developing & deploying the product in one go, it will be developed gradually following a step-by-step methodology.
    The best practice of Blockchain app development is developing an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) at first. An MVP helps you to validate the effectiveness of the product, identify the areas that can be improved on, and assess whether the product meets your objectives. Based on the aforementioned aspects and ongoing market trends, you decide on the add-ons and enhancements to be made in the upcoming sprints. This way, the end product keeps evolving as per the requirement and changing market demands. Hence, the Blockchain app development company you choose must support an agile product development process.

    Performance & Scalability

    Performance and scalability are two key factors that decide the fate & scope for future growth of a Blockchain app solution after it goes live. And, your Blockchain development firm should adhere to these requirements. The number of users increases with time. As a result, the load and processing time also keeps increasing, thereby exhausting the system resources. So, every Blockchain solution must be designed to be scalable so that it can handle the increased load in the future.
    So, it’s advisable to convey the Blockchain agency you’ve hired to design scalable and performant solutions. Your development partner should employ a flexible programming language that can carry out parallel as well as non-parallel system operations. The system should be capable of maintaining the ideal level of responsiveness and speed.

    Dedicated Team of Blockchain Developers

    The level of complexity in Blockchain app development projects is quite high and so the concept of shared teams is least likely to work. A team handling multiple projects at a time will find it difficult to focus on your project and have to be reminded about the project goals from time to time. Also, shared teams may encounter time constraints leading to overlooked requirements, inadequate product testing, missed deadlines, etc. Hence, before signing the project agreement; ensure that the Blockchain development firm will provide a team of developers, testers, and QAs entirely dedicated to your project.

    Pricing Models

    Before finalizing the Blockchain development company, assess the pricing models offered by them. Check whether the pricing model you are looking for is available. In case of multiple pricing plans, pick the one that best suits your project development needs. Usually, Blockchain agencies offer two types of pricing plans – ‘Fixed’ pricing and ‘Variable’ pricing models. Some companies offer the ‘milestone’ pricing model as well.
    The ‘fixed-price’ model involves pre-decided costs without any extra expenses later on. This model is cost-effective and is a perfect pick if you have a tight budget and strict deadlines to meet. But here, you need to pre-define your scope correctly. This model is not a suitable option if you are looking for customization and high-end product functionalities.
    The ‘variable-price’ model involves hourly or daily rates and is likely to incur additional expenses during the development process. This model is costlier, but ensures quality and fulfills your end-product customization requirements. Also, a variable pricing model is recommended if the scope of the project is not clearly defined at the beginning and the product development requirements are likely to evolve with time.
    The ‘milestone’ pricing model is employed in long-term partnerships between the client and the vendor company. It involves adjustable budget frames; a separate cost estimation is defined for each milestone based on the need.

    Security Practices

    Safety is crucial for any business and this is one of the key reasons for using Blockchain solutions. The Blockchain eco-system does provide security, but the implementation of an extra security layer is necessary for making the solutions tamper-proof. Every standard Blockchain app development company adopts security measures like two-factor authentication, safety filters, etc.

    Work Ethics

    The work ethics of the Blockchain app development company should be impressive. Dedicated, committed, goal-oriented, and reliable teams can make a huge difference. You can get an idea of the work ethics of your chosen partner by conducting research on their previous client interactions. Some of the most desirable qualities include the ability to adhere to strict deadlines, offer complete product development transparency, keep the client updated about the project’s whereabouts from time to time, etc.

    Post-deployment Support

    A Blockchain solution may face issues after it goes live even if it was deployed after extensive testing. So, Blockchain-based end products require post-launch technical support for resolving real-time bugs, making the necessary modifications as per the need, and so on. Live support ensures the smooth functioning of the end product and saves your brand’s reputation from being tarnished. So, remember to pick a Blockchain app development firm that will provide you with live technical support after the product launch.
     

    Final Thoughts:

     
    I hope the aforementioned tips and strategies will help you to pick the best-suited Blockchain app development company for your next project. Once you’re done with shortlisting the Blockchain agencies as per your project’s requirement and their team’s app development experience; it’s time for the crucial project discussion phase. During this phase, be clear with the product’s vision, provide clarity about your goals, and convey your specific requirements. Remember to have a thorough discussion regarding the project’s budget to avoid surprise costs later on.