In 2021, companies spent $6.6 billion on the development of blockchain solutions. According to Statista, this figure will reach $19 billion by 2024. The prospects and growing capabilities of blockchain show its advantages and many companies decide to develop their own solutions.
One of the most important tasks before developing a blockchain solution is to choose a technology stack and programming language. They depend on the functionality and needs of the project.
In this article we will consider the Top 4 programming languages for blockchain development as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
Solidity: definition and advantages
Solidity is a programming language used to write smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. It was created in 2014 by Gavin Wood and his team for the Ethereum Foundation.
The main functionality of the Solidity language is the ability to create smart contracts, which are independent programs on the Ethereum blockchain. These contracts can perform various functions such as storing values, fulfilling conditions, automatic fund transfers, etc. With Solidity, you can program different types of contracts, including standard contracts such as ERC-20 (for creating tokens) or custom contracts with unique functionality. This programming language has a C++-like syntax and allows developers to create complex contracts with many functions and methods.
The Solidity programming language is used to develop smart contracts in the following popular blockchain networks.
- Ethereum is the most well-known blockchain that uses Solidity to develop smart contracts. Ethereum has applications in areas such as finance, medicine, real estate and many others.
- Binance Smart Chain is a blockchain that was launched by Binance Exchange. It also uses Solidity to develop smart contracts, which allows existing Ethereum applications to be used.
- Polygon is a scalable blockchain that also uses Solidity to develop smart contracts. Polygon tries to provide fast and cheap data transfer for blockchain application developers.
- Avalanche is a blockchain that was launched in 2020 and uses Solidity to develop smart contracts. Avalanche tries to provide fast and secure data exchange between different blockchains.
Advantages of Solidity
- Integration with Ethereum. Solidity was developed specifically for Ethereum and is fully integrated with its infrastructure.
- Smart contracts. Solidity allows you to create smart contracts, which are a key component of most decentralized applications.
- Large community. Solidity has a large community of developers who provide help and support in solving problems.
- Simplicity. Solidity's syntax is simple and easy to learn.
- Educational resources. There are many resources for Solidity where you can find documentation, examples, and other materials to learn the language.
Disadvantages of Solidity
- Not supported on other blockchain platforms. Solidity was created specifically for Ethereum and cannot be used on other blockchain platforms.
- Security vulnerabilities. Solidity may be vulnerable to hacker attacks, which may result in the loss of funds or other valuable resources.
- Relatively new language. Solidity is a relatively new programming language and may be subject to changes in the future.
- High cost. Developing and auditing smart contracts in Solidity can be costly due to the high cost of programmers who are proficient in the language.
JavaScript: definition and advantages
Java is another programming language that is widely used in blockchain development. It has a number of libraries that allow you to develop blockchain applications, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Hyperledger Fabric. Java is also a more secure programming language compared to some other programming languages such as C++, it makes it popular among blockchain developers.
The main functionality of JavaScript includes the ability to execute code on the client side, dynamically manipulate website pages, asynchronously interact with the server, validate forms and much more. To develop blockchain applications, JavaScript allows developers to access and interact with the blockchain platform.
The following blockchains have been developed on the basis of Java.
- EOS is a blockchain platform that was developed using JavaScript. EOS allows developers to create smart contracts using the C++ and JavaScript programming language.
- Lisk is a blockchain that was developed using JavaScript. Lisk offers its own programming language called Lisk Script. Lisk allows developers to create blockchain-based applications using JavaScript.
- Tron is a blockchain platform that was developed using JavaScript. Tron offers various programming languages for developing blockchain applications, including Solidity and JavaScript.
- Qtum is a hybrid blockchain developed using both Bitcoin coding and JavaScript. Qtum allows developers to build blockchain applications using either Solidity or JavaScript.
Advantages of JavaScript
- Ease for learning. JavaScript is one of the most accessible programming languages, which has made it popular within beginner developers.
- Large community. JavaScript has a large community of developers, which helps to increase the resources that can be used to develop blockchain applications.
- Reliability. Java is known for its reliability and stability. This allows blockchain developers to create applications with high quality and durability.
- Scalability. Java supports application scalability, which allows developers to easily expand their solutions depending on business needs.
- Portability. Java allows developers to develop blockchain applications that can run on a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- Availability of many frameworks. JavaScript has many frameworks and libraries for development, including blockchain development.
Disadvantages of JavaScript
- Security. JavaScript is one of the most vulnerable programming languages, which can be a problem when developing a blockchain.
- Low speed. Java has a certain level of latency, which can lead to poor performance of real-time applications.
- Large memory requirements. Java is known for requiring more memory to execute its programs.
- Complexity. Java can be considered a complex programming language, which may require additional knowledge to develop blockchain applications.
C++: definition and advantages
C++ is a programming language used to develop software in various industries, including blockchain. Its history dates back to 1983 when Björn Straustrup created it as an extension of the C language.
C++ has a rich functionality. It supports object-oriented programming, templates, multiple inheritance, and other features that allow you to develop multifunctional programs. C++ allows programmers to write fast and reliable code, which is especially important in the blockchain field where speed and security are key factors. In addition, C++ supports various libraries and frameworks that help developers create programs quickly.
The C++ programming language has been used to develop the following blockchains.
- Bitcoin. The first and the longest-running blockchain that was developed on the basis of the C++ programming language. Bitcoin was the first example of blockchain technology used to create and circulate cryptocurrencies. Most Bitcoin implementations, including Bitcoin Core, are written in C++.
- Ethereum. The second most popular blockchain launched in 2015. It uses a proprietary programming language called Solidity to create smart contracts that can be developed in C++.
- EOS. A decentralized platform that was developed on the basis of the C++ programming language. EOS was launched in 2018 and offers transaction processing speeds of up to 100,000 per second making it one of the fastest blockchains on the market.
Advantages of C++
- Speed of execution. C++ is generally known for its fast execution speed. It makes it a popular choice for some critical systems such as operating systems and game engines.
- Performance. C++ is a low-level programming language that allows developers to optimize the performance of high-load applications, including blockchain. The speed of C++ programs can be significantly higher than in other languages.
- Memory management. C++ allows developers to directly manage memory, which avoids memory leaks and other resource-related issues.
- Wide range of possibilities. C++ is one of the most widely used programming languages so many libraries and tools are already written in it. This allows developers to easily extend their code and add new features to the blockchain.
Disadvantages of C++
- Complexity. C++ is a complex programming language that requires a lot of attention to detail and experience from developers. It is necessary to have experience in C++ programming to effectively develop applications in this language.
- Development is slower. Compared to other languages, C++ development can be slower because code needs to be entered in more detail.
- Security risk. Improper use of C++ can lead to serious security issues. Developers should be very careful when working with this language to avoid possible vulnerabilities and attacks.
- Limited support. C++ doesn't have as large a community as more popular programming languages like Python or JavaScript. This can make it more difficult to find resources and help when developing in C++.
Go (Golang): definition and advantages
Go is a programming language that was developed by Google in 2007. It is an open-source language that has gained popularity in blockchain development due to its high performance, ease of use and development and extensive community support.
The main functionality of the Go programming language includes fast compilation, strong typing, automatic memory management, support for parallel processes, built-in error handling and many other useful features.
The following blockchains have been developed based on the Go programming language.
- Hyperledger Fabric is a blockchain developed under the auspices of the Linux Foundation. Hyperledger Fabric uses Go to develop smart contracts and applications on the platform.
- Cosmos is a blockchain that attempts to provide interoperability between different blockchains. Cosmos uses Go to develop smart contracts and applications.
- Ethereum Classic is a version of Ethereum that was split into two separate blockchains after a hacker attack on Ethereum in 2016. Ethereum Classic uses Go to develop smart contracts and applications.
- Tendermint is a blockchain that tries to provide fast and secure data transfer between blockchains. Tendermint uses Go to develop smart contracts and applications.
- Komodo is a blockchain that tries to ensure network privacy and security. Komodo uses Go to develop smart contracts and applications.
Advantages of Go
- Great community support. The Go language has a large and active community of developers, which allows you to quickly find answers to any questions and get support if necessary.
- Efficiency. Go was designed to create efficient programs with high performance and low resource usage. This is especially important for blockchain development where performance is critical.
- Support for low-level programming. Go allows developers to work with low-level operations, which allows for greater efficiency and performance. This is especially important for blockchain development where code typically needs to be optimized.
Disadvantages of Go
- Specific syntax. Go's syntax is slightly different from that of other programming languages, which can delay development and make it difficult to understand the code.
- Poor support. Although Go is a popular programming language, it still doesn't have as much support as other programming languages. This can delay the development of blockchain applications that are built on Go.
What programming language should one choose to develop a blockchain solution?
Each of the considered programming languages has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice should be based on the needs of the project.
- If your project is related to Ethereum, you should choose Solidity. It specializes in developing applications on the Ethereum platform and has a rich set of tools that allow developers to create efficient and secure applications.
- If the project is related to web development, it is better to use JavaScript. It is also a fairly popular language for developing blockchain applications and has a large set of frameworks and libraries for developing the client side of applications.
- If you need to develop protocols that are fast and scalable, it is better to use languages with a low level of abstraction, such as C++. It allows developers to optimize resource utilization and ensure application security.
- If you need to develop a project quickly and at low cost, you can use the Go programming language. It has become popular in the blockchain due to its efficiency and ease of use. With its help, developers can create high-performance and secure blockchain applications.
General Summary
The choice of programming language for blockchain development depends on the specific situation. Each of the four languages discussed in this article has its advantages and disadvantages but, in general, they allow you to develop reliable and secure blockchain projects with different functionalities.
If you still have any questions or want to discuss the details of developing a blockchain solution, leave your contacts and RVA specialists will reach you.