Network
Launch Date
Consensus
Note
Sepolia
Oct 2021
PoW
Like-for-like representation of Ethereum
Görli
Jan 2019
PoA
Proof-of-Authority
Kiln
Mar 2022
PoS
Post-Merge (for ETH2), shadow fork of the mainnet
Kintsugi
Dec 2021
PoS
DEPRECATED, use Kiln; post-Merge (for ETH2)
Ropsten
Nov 2016
PoW
DEPRECATED, use Sepolia; the Merge to happen on Jun 8, 2022
Rinkeby
Apr 2017
PoA
DEPRECATED, use Görli and Görli Faucet
Kovan
Mar 2017
PoA
DEPRECATED, use Sepolia or Görli
List of active and deprecated Ethereum testnets, including Kintsugi.
Features
Optimistic rollup 
ZK-rollup 
Proof
Uses fraud proofs to prove transaction validity. 
Uses validity (zero-knowledge) proofs to prove transaction validity. 
Capital efficiency
Requires waiting through a 1-week delay (dispute period) before withdrawing funds. 
Users can withdraw funds immediately because validity proofs provide incontrovertible evidence of the authenticity of off-chain transactions. 
Data compression
Publishes full transaction data as calldata to Ethereum Mainnet, which increases rollup costs. 
Doesn't need to publish transaction data on Ethereum because ZK-SNARKs and ZK-STARKs already guarantee the accuracy of the rollup state. 
EVM compatibility
Uses a simulation of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), which allows it to run arbitrary logic and support smart contracts. 
Doesn't widely support EVM computation, although a few EVM-compatible ZK-rollups have appeared. 
Rollup costs
Reduces costs since it publishes minimal data on Ethereum and doesn't have to post proofs for transactions, except in special circumstances. 
Faces higher overhead from costs involved in generating and verifying proofs for every transaction block. ZK proofs require specialized, expensive hardware to create and have high on-chain verification costs. 
Trust assumptions
Doesn't require a trusted setup. 
Requires a trusted setup to work. 
Liveness requirements
Verifiers are needed to keep tabs on the actual rollup state and the one referenced in the state root to detect fraud. 
Users don't need someone to watch the L2 chain to detect fraud. 
Security properties 
Relies on cryptoeconomic incentives to assure users of rollup security. 
Relies on cryptographic guarantees for security. 
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curl 
https://release.solana.com/v1.10.32/solana-install-init-x86_64-pc-windows-msvc.exe 
--output 
C:\solana-install-tmp\solana-install-init.exe 
--create-dirs
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BLOCKCHAIN DEVELOPER OVERVIEW

How to Become a Blockchain Developer (Concepts and Skills)

What You Need to Know to Build on the Blockchain
Last Updated:
May 7, 2022

Imagine you're back living in the late 90's, the internet is on the verge of becoming a household name, and you have a chance to get in early on the action. 

Let’s say, you have an offer to be one of the first 12 hires at Yahoo. Would you take it?
Knowing what you know now, chances are high you probably would. 

While we can't go back in time, fortunately there continue to be amazing opportunities for those on the forefront of tech innovation. And truth be told, we're now at a similar moment in history. 

Cryptocurrencies, and blockchain-based technologies such as DeFi (decentralized finance), NFT (Non-fungible token) and DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations) continue to play a large role in the way we do business and interact in 2022. 

Billions upon billions of investment fund dollars are flowing into the crypto space with no signs of slowing down. 

Below are just a few of the many up and coming companies looking to build the future of Web3. 

Source

According to CoinGecko, a price-tracking website for crypto assets, the combined market cap of cryptocurrency globally is just shy of 2 trillion USD. 

Source 

But enough about the numbers. What does this mean for you? 

Is blockchain development a good career?

One of the most lucrative career paths right now is becoming a blockchain developer. According to Talent, an average blockchain developer makes $145k a year. With the demand for blockchain developers only continuing to grow, now is the time to get involved.

As a blockchain developer, you're also in the unique position to get a head start on many opportunities, for example, investing in early stage projects. 

Developing the blockchain helps you recognize projects likely to succeed, and avoid ones that have no traction. You're seeing in real time what works and what doesn't, and you’re building the future of Web3 first hand. 

What do blockchain developers need to know?

Some of the skills you need to know as a blockchain developer include programming languages like Javascript, Python, and Solidity and knowledge of some key concepts like blockchains, consensus mechanisms, hashing functions, gas, and more.

If you have the knack for learning new technologies and are a developer at heart there's no shortage of opportunities to succeed professionally. But you’re going to need some skills and need to understand some key concepts in blockchain development to get you the rest of the way. 

Here are some of the basics you’ll want to focus on. 

5 skills you need to know to become a blockchain developer

1. Popular blockchain programming languages

As a blockchain developer, you're likely going to need to learn multiple programming languages, but there's no getting around mastery of Javascript.

Javascript is a versatile and portable language, widely used in the blockchain ecosystems. For instance, you can just use Javascript libraries to build decentralized applications (dApps) that interact with already existing smart contracts.

It’s great if you're also proficient in other languages: C++ (the legendary Bitcoin was coded in this very flexible language for example) or Python. The latter is very useful if you want to focus on backend development and advanced scripting.

We highly recommend you spend some time going through the Ethereum Javascript resources to help you get up to speed. Of course, you'll also want to invest in learning Solidity which we cover in-depth here

The fun doesn't stop with learning multiple coding languages. 

2. The fundamentals of blockchain technology

Understanding the foundations of blockchain technology is crucial for blockchain developers. Reading Bitcoin and Ethereum whitepapers are a must. But you also need to understand a few key concepts.

For example, it's important to know that at its core, a blockchain is a type of distributed ledger technology (DLT). It’s a protocol that enables the functioning of a database with no central administrator, with blocks of data spread across multiple locations or entities. Blockchains can be used for cryptocurrency, yes, but the use cases don't stop there. In the future, we'll likely continue to see organizations and perhaps even countries use the blockchain to hold elections and decide how various government funds are spent. Blockchains also provide a sense of accountability in the sense that most are public ledgers that can be viewed by anyone. One can imagine how this can affect the political and business climate as their use becomes more widespread. While blockchains won't solve all of the world's problems, we're only just getting started understanding the many powerful use cases they can provide. 

3. Blockchain consensus mechanisms

The pivotal invention of blockchain and cryptocurrencies is the consensus mechanism. It’s the procedure by which a decentralized peer-to-peer system with no central authority makes decisions. It’s a way to agree which transactions to add and in what order to the ledger.
Here's a simple example:

Source

Proof of Work and Proof of Stake 

While blockchains typically have many consensus mechanisms as discussed above, they all serve the same goal —to ensure that records in the ledger are trustworthy 

The two most prevalent consensus mechanisms: 

Most well known for powering the Bitcoin network, proof of work, describes the process of using computational power (via miners) to solve complex mathematical equations, helping ensure the blockchain is both secure and accurate. 

In return, miners, who invest the resources needed to solve these equations are rewarded Bitcoin. 

While proof of work powers Bitcoin, it has been proven to be fairly energy intensive, something many new blockchains such as Solana are trying to avoid. That said, blockchains that use proof of work, tend to have a high level of security and provide a decentralized way of verifying transactions on the network. 

Proof of stake, on the other hand, is an alternative to proof of work with significantly less energy costs. 

"Energy consumption is one major difference between the two consensus mechanisms. Because proof-of-stake blockchains don’t require miners to spend electricity on duplicative processes (competing to solve the same puzzle), proof of stake allows networks to operate with substantially lower resource consumption," writes Coinbase.  

Proof of stake is a consensus mechanism that requires users to stake coins, which are then randomly selected by validators. 

Ethereum, which originally launched using proof of work, is in the process of transitioning into proof of stake. Currently Cardano, Texos, and Algorand are the most well known networks to use proof of stake

While proof of stake is considered to be more energy efficient, it isn't as battle tested from a security perspective and has been known to break down during periods of high volumes of transitions.

Here's a further breakdown of how both consensus mechanisms compare. 

Source 
Source 

There's plenty of great resources online for you to understand the basics of both consensus mechanisms, which we highly recommend you spend time studying.

Of course, as crypto and blockchains continue to evolve, there are most certainly going to be additional consensus mechanisms created and used

4. Hashing functions

Beyond consensus mechanisms, you're also going to need to understand hash functions. 

Hash functions are used to write new transactions into the blockchain and to ensure the data encoded is secure. 

Hashing is the operation of turning a random input of data into a fixed size string of text, using a mathematical function. In simple terms, this means that a string of text will be changed into a settled array of numbers and letters through an algorithm. 

These functions ultimately ensure the immutability of the blockchain—the ability to remain a permanent history of transactions. But this is also why blockchain development is a bit more difficult than programming in centralized ecosystems. 

Designing these protocols takes a long time, because you need to craft them with perfection.  In theory, after uploading code, you can’t change it with very few exceptions. 

We recommend opting in to as many online courses as you can to get a better understanding of this technology.

For starters: 

Beyond video lectures and courses there are also some great books. 

By no means is this an exhaustive list, but if you read and apply the material from above, you'll be well on your way to becoming a blockchain developer. 

5. Gas, miners, and the cost of running smart contracts

Source 

As a blockchain developer, you're also going to need to understand the role "gas" plays in the Ethereum ecosystem. 

At the most basic level, gas refers to the cost necessary for a transaction to be run on the Ethereum network. Miners, who are responsible for the network continuing to run, set the supply and demand by deciding how much gas is needed to process transactions and other smart contracts. 

It's helpful to think of gas as literal gasoline for your car, you need it to drive. The gas station, therefore, can be compared to miners who sell you the gas you need. The cost of you buying gas is the "miner fees."
Here's an excellent short video that covers the high-level basics. 

Although Ethereum is incredibly popular, gas fees can often be incredibly cost prohibitive. As a user, knowing how to save on gas fees is better for your crypto portfolio. Working towards making gas more cost friendly while also supporting miners fairly,  is a priority for many developers in the crypto space. 

Other networks, like Solana for example, have transaction costs significantly lower than Ethereum but have shown signs of strain when enduring high volumes of transactions.

How do you connect with the blockchain developer community?

The best way to connect with the blockchain developer community is by joining Discord servers and communities, engaging web3 developers and thought leaders on Twitter, and participating in web3 hackathons and conferences. 

It's no secret that knowing how to program is going to play the largest role in blockchain developer success, but there are many things you can do that don't involve a single line of code. 

The community of blockchain creators meets primarily in two places on the web: Discord and Twitter. The most important discussions take place there, and that’s also where you can build relationships and look for jobs. 

Unlike the traditional workplace, you don’t need to have a serious suit photo on LinkedIn. In the world of Web3, what matters most is your substantive knowledge—your blockchain sweat equity mainly gained from practice, tracking crypto influencers, taking courses, participating in hackathons etc. 

If you post interesting content about crypto and blockchain, you can meet people and get noticed even if you are anonymous with a funny picture as an avatar.

Here are some great Discord servers and communities where you should be present:

And here are some top crypto and blockchain thought leaders you should consider following:

Additionally, while not everyone's cup of tea, attending conferences can be a great way to connect in person and develop professional relationships. We couldn't possibly list them all, but here is an extensive list to get you started.

You’re a future blockchain developer in the making

Whether you're new to the world of programming, or just want to level up your blockchain career, there's no way around it—you're going to need to put in the work.
That said, crypto and blockchain technology is transforming the world of finance, business, culture and more and the opportunities are endless.

Following the suggestions and tips in this guide, will get you well on your way to becoming a developer at the forefront of this global transformation. Alchemy is one of the leading node service providers in Web3. Our other offerings include Enhanced APIs, Notify API and our newest addition NFT API.

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BLOCKCHAIN DEVELOPER OVERVIEW

Becoming a blockchain developer: What you need to know

What You Need to Know to Build on the Blockchain
Last Updated:
May 7, 2022
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Table of Contents

{{building-alchemy-ad}}

Imagine you're back living in the late 90's, the internet is on the verge of becoming a household name, and you have a chance to get in early on the action. 

Let’s say, you have an offer to be one of the first 12 hires at Yahoo. Would you take it?
Knowing what you know now, chances are high you probably would. 

While we can't go back in time, fortunately there continue to be amazing opportunities for those on the forefront of tech innovation. And truth be told, we're now at a similar moment in history. 

Cryptocurrencies, and blockchain-based technologies such as DeFi (decentralized finance), NFT (Non-fungible token) and DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations) continue to play a large role in the way we do business and interact in 2022. 

Billions upon billions of investment fund dollars are flowing into the crypto space with no signs of slowing down. 

Below are just a few of the many up and coming companies looking to build the future of Web3. 

Source

According to CoinGecko, a price-tracking website for crypto assets, the combined market cap of cryptocurrency globally is just shy of 2 trillion USD. 

Source 

But enough about the numbers. What does this mean for you? 

Is blockchain development a good career?

One of the most lucrative career paths right now is becoming a blockchain developer. According to Talent, an average blockchain developer makes $145k a year. With the demand for blockchain developers only continuing to grow, now is the time to get involved.

As a blockchain developer, you're also in the unique position to get a head start on many opportunities, for example, investing in early stage projects. 

Developing the blockchain helps you recognize projects likely to succeed, and avoid ones that have no traction. You're seeing in real time what works and what doesn't, and you’re building the future of Web3 first hand. 

What do blockchain developers need to know?

Some of the skills you need to know as a blockchain developer include programming languages like Javascript, Python, and Solidity and knowledge of some key concepts like blockchains, consensus mechanisms, hashing functions, gas, and more.

If you have the knack for learning new technologies and are a developer at heart there's no shortage of opportunities to succeed professionally. But you’re going to need some skills and need to understand some key concepts in blockchain development to get you the rest of the way. 

Here are some of the basics you’ll want to focus on. 

5 skills you need to know to become a blockchain developer

1. Popular blockchain programming languages

As a blockchain developer, you're likely going to need to learn multiple programming languages, but there's no getting around mastery of Javascript.

Javascript is a versatile and portable language, widely used in the blockchain ecosystems. For instance, you can just use Javascript libraries to build decentralized applications (dApps) that interact with already existing smart contracts.

It’s great if you're also proficient in other languages: C++ (the legendary Bitcoin was coded in this very flexible language for example) or Python. The latter is very useful if you want to focus on backend development and advanced scripting.

We highly recommend you spend some time going through the Ethereum Javascript resources to help you get up to speed. Of course, you'll also want to invest in learning Solidity which we cover in-depth here

The fun doesn't stop with learning multiple coding languages. 

2. The fundamentals of blockchain technology

Understanding the foundations of blockchain technology is crucial for blockchain developers. Reading Bitcoin and Ethereum whitepapers are a must. But you also need to understand a few key concepts.

For example, it's important to know that at its core, a blockchain is a type of distributed ledger technology (DLT). It’s a protocol that enables the functioning of a database with no central administrator, with blocks of data spread across multiple locations or entities. Blockchains can be used for cryptocurrency, yes, but the use cases don't stop there. In the future, we'll likely continue to see organizations and perhaps even countries use the blockchain to hold elections and decide how various government funds are spent. Blockchains also provide a sense of accountability in the sense that most are public ledgers that can be viewed by anyone. One can imagine how this can affect the political and business climate as their use becomes more widespread. While blockchains won't solve all of the world's problems, we're only just getting started understanding the many powerful use cases they can provide. 

3. Blockchain consensus mechanisms

The pivotal invention of blockchain and cryptocurrencies is the consensus mechanism. It’s the procedure by which a decentralized peer-to-peer system with no central authority makes decisions. It’s a way to agree which transactions to add and in what order to the ledger.
Here's a simple example:

Source

Proof of Work and Proof of Stake 

While blockchains typically have many consensus mechanisms as discussed above, they all serve the same goal —to ensure that records in the ledger are trustworthy 

The two most prevalent consensus mechanisms: 

Most well known for powering the Bitcoin network, proof of work, describes the process of using computational power (via miners) to solve complex mathematical equations, helping ensure the blockchain is both secure and accurate. 

In return, miners, who invest the resources needed to solve these equations are rewarded Bitcoin. 

While proof of work powers Bitcoin, it has been proven to be fairly energy intensive, something many new blockchains such as Solana are trying to avoid. That said, blockchains that use proof of work, tend to have a high level of security and provide a decentralized way of verifying transactions on the network. 

Proof of stake, on the other hand, is an alternative to proof of work with significantly less energy costs. 

"Energy consumption is one major difference between the two consensus mechanisms. Because proof-of-stake blockchains don’t require miners to spend electricity on duplicative processes (competing to solve the same puzzle), proof of stake allows networks to operate with substantially lower resource consumption," writes Coinbase.  

Proof of stake is a consensus mechanism that requires users to stake coins, which are then randomly selected by validators. 

Ethereum, which originally launched using proof of work, is in the process of transitioning into proof of stake. Currently Cardano, Texos, and Algorand are the most well known networks to use proof of stake

While proof of stake is considered to be more energy efficient, it isn't as battle tested from a security perspective and has been known to break down during periods of high volumes of transitions.

Here's a further breakdown of how both consensus mechanisms compare. 

Source 
Source 

There's plenty of great resources online for you to understand the basics of both consensus mechanisms, which we highly recommend you spend time studying.

Of course, as crypto and blockchains continue to evolve, there are most certainly going to be additional consensus mechanisms created and used

4. Hashing functions

Beyond consensus mechanisms, you're also going to need to understand hash functions. 

Hash functions are used to write new transactions into the blockchain and to ensure the data encoded is secure. 

Hashing is the operation of turning a random input of data into a fixed size string of text, using a mathematical function. In simple terms, this means that a string of text will be changed into a settled array of numbers and letters through an algorithm. 

These functions ultimately ensure the immutability of the blockchain—the ability to remain a permanent history of transactions. But this is also why blockchain development is a bit more difficult than programming in centralized ecosystems. 

Designing these protocols takes a long time, because you need to craft them with perfection.  In theory, after uploading code, you can’t change it with very few exceptions. 

We recommend opting in to as many online courses as you can to get a better understanding of this technology.

For starters: 

Beyond video lectures and courses there are also some great books. 

By no means is this an exhaustive list, but if you read and apply the material from above, you'll be well on your way to becoming a blockchain developer. 

5. Gas, miners, and the cost of running smart contracts

Source 

As a blockchain developer, you're also going to need to understand the role "gas" plays in the Ethereum ecosystem. 

At the most basic level, gas refers to the cost necessary for a transaction to be run on the Ethereum network. Miners, who are responsible for the network continuing to run, set the supply and demand by deciding how much gas is needed to process transactions and other smart contracts. 

It's helpful to think of gas as literal gasoline for your car, you need it to drive. The gas station, therefore, can be compared to miners who sell you the gas you need. The cost of you buying gas is the "miner fees."
Here's an excellent short video that covers the high-level basics. 

Although Ethereum is incredibly popular, gas fees can often be incredibly cost prohibitive. As a user, knowing how to save on gas fees is better for your crypto portfolio. Working towards making gas more cost friendly while also supporting miners fairly,  is a priority for many developers in the crypto space. 

Other networks, like Solana for example, have transaction costs significantly lower than Ethereum but have shown signs of strain when enduring high volumes of transactions.

How do you connect with the blockchain developer community?

The best way to connect with the blockchain developer community is by joining Discord servers and communities, engaging web3 developers and thought leaders on Twitter, and participating in web3 hackathons and conferences. 

It's no secret that knowing how to program is going to play the largest role in blockchain developer success, but there are many things you can do that don't involve a single line of code. 

The community of blockchain creators meets primarily in two places on the web: Discord and Twitter. The most important discussions take place there, and that’s also where you can build relationships and look for jobs. 

Unlike the traditional workplace, you don’t need to have a serious suit photo on LinkedIn. In the world of Web3, what matters most is your substantive knowledge—your blockchain sweat equity mainly gained from practice, tracking crypto influencers, taking courses, participating in hackathons etc. 

If you post interesting content about crypto and blockchain, you can meet people and get noticed even if you are anonymous with a funny picture as an avatar.

Here are some great Discord servers and communities where you should be present:

And here are some top crypto and blockchain thought leaders you should consider following:

Additionally, while not everyone's cup of tea, attending conferences can be a great way to connect in person and develop professional relationships. We couldn't possibly list them all, but here is an extensive list to get you started.

You’re a future blockchain developer in the making

Whether you're new to the world of programming, or just want to level up your blockchain career, there's no way around it—you're going to need to put in the work.
That said, crypto and blockchain technology is transforming the world of finance, business, culture and more and the opportunities are endless.

Following the suggestions and tips in this guide, will get you well on your way to becoming a developer at the forefront of this global transformation. Alchemy is one of the leading node service providers in Web3. Our other offerings include Enhanced APIs, Notify API and our newest addition NFT API.

Imagine you're back living in the late 90's, the internet is on the verge of becoming a household name, and you have a chance to get in early on the action. 

Let’s say, you have an offer to be one of the first 12 hires at Yahoo. Would you take it?
Knowing what you know now, chances are high you probably would. 

While we can't go back in time, fortunately there continue to be amazing opportunities for those on the forefront of tech innovation. And truth be told, we're now at a similar moment in history. 

Cryptocurrencies, and blockchain-based technologies such as DeFi (decentralized finance), NFT (Non-fungible token) and DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations) continue to play a large role in the way we do business and interact in 2022. 

Billions upon billions of investment fund dollars are flowing into the crypto space with no signs of slowing down. 

Below are just a few of the many up and coming companies looking to build the future of Web3. 

Source

According to CoinGecko, a price-tracking website for crypto assets, the combined market cap of cryptocurrency globally is just shy of 2 trillion USD. 

Source 

But enough about the numbers. What does this mean for you? 

Is blockchain development a good career?

One of the most lucrative career paths right now is becoming a blockchain developer. According to Talent, an average blockchain developer makes $145k a year. With the demand for blockchain developers only continuing to grow, now is the time to get involved.

As a blockchain developer, you're also in the unique position to get a head start on many opportunities, for example, investing in early stage projects. 

Developing the blockchain helps you recognize projects likely to succeed, and avoid ones that have no traction. You're seeing in real time what works and what doesn't, and you’re building the future of Web3 first hand. 

What do blockchain developers need to know?

Some of the skills you need to know as a blockchain developer include programming languages like Javascript, Python, and Solidity and knowledge of some key concepts like blockchains, consensus mechanisms, hashing functions, gas, and more.

If you have the knack for learning new technologies and are a developer at heart there's no shortage of opportunities to succeed professionally. But you’re going to need some skills and need to understand some key concepts in blockchain development to get you the rest of the way. 

Here are some of the basics you’ll want to focus on. 

5 skills you need to know to become a blockchain developer

1. Popular blockchain programming languages

As a blockchain developer, you're likely going to need to learn multiple programming languages, but there's no getting around mastery of Javascript.

Javascript is a versatile and portable language, widely used in the blockchain ecosystems. For instance, you can just use Javascript libraries to build decentralized applications (dApps) that interact with already existing smart contracts.

It’s great if you're also proficient in other languages: C++ (the legendary Bitcoin was coded in this very flexible language for example) or Python. The latter is very useful if you want to focus on backend development and advanced scripting.

We highly recommend you spend some time going through the Ethereum Javascript resources to help you get up to speed. Of course, you'll also want to invest in learning Solidity which we cover in-depth here

The fun doesn't stop with learning multiple coding languages. 

2. The fundamentals of blockchain technology

Understanding the foundations of blockchain technology is crucial for blockchain developers. Reading Bitcoin and Ethereum whitepapers are a must. But you also need to understand a few key concepts.

For example, it's important to know that at its core, a blockchain is a type of distributed ledger technology (DLT). It’s a protocol that enables the functioning of a database with no central administrator, with blocks of data spread across multiple locations or entities. Blockchains can be used for cryptocurrency, yes, but the use cases don't stop there. In the future, we'll likely continue to see organizations and perhaps even countries use the blockchain to hold elections and decide how various government funds are spent. Blockchains also provide a sense of accountability in the sense that most are public ledgers that can be viewed by anyone. One can imagine how this can affect the political and business climate as their use becomes more widespread. While blockchains won't solve all of the world's problems, we're only just getting started understanding the many powerful use cases they can provide. 

3. Blockchain consensus mechanisms

The pivotal invention of blockchain and cryptocurrencies is the consensus mechanism. It’s the procedure by which a decentralized peer-to-peer system with no central authority makes decisions. It’s a way to agree which transactions to add and in what order to the ledger.
Here's a simple example:

Source

Proof of Work and Proof of Stake 

While blockchains typically have many consensus mechanisms as discussed above, they all serve the same goal —to ensure that records in the ledger are trustworthy 

The two most prevalent consensus mechanisms: 

Most well known for powering the Bitcoin network, proof of work, describes the process of using computational power (via miners) to solve complex mathematical equations, helping ensure the blockchain is both secure and accurate. 

In return, miners, who invest the resources needed to solve these equations are rewarded Bitcoin. 

While proof of work powers Bitcoin, it has been proven to be fairly energy intensive, something many new blockchains such as Solana are trying to avoid. That said, blockchains that use proof of work, tend to have a high level of security and provide a decentralized way of verifying transactions on the network. 

Proof of stake, on the other hand, is an alternative to proof of work with significantly less energy costs. 

"Energy consumption is one major difference between the two consensus mechanisms. Because proof-of-stake blockchains don’t require miners to spend electricity on duplicative processes (competing to solve the same puzzle), proof of stake allows networks to operate with substantially lower resource consumption," writes Coinbase.  

Proof of stake is a consensus mechanism that requires users to stake coins, which are then randomly selected by validators. 

Ethereum, which originally launched using proof of work, is in the process of transitioning into proof of stake. Currently Cardano, Texos, and Algorand are the most well known networks to use proof of stake

While proof of stake is considered to be more energy efficient, it isn't as battle tested from a security perspective and has been known to break down during periods of high volumes of transitions.

Here's a further breakdown of how both consensus mechanisms compare. 

Source 
Source 

There's plenty of great resources online for you to understand the basics of both consensus mechanisms, which we highly recommend you spend time studying.

Of course, as crypto and blockchains continue to evolve, there are most certainly going to be additional consensus mechanisms created and used

4. Hashing functions

Beyond consensus mechanisms, you're also going to need to understand hash functions. 

Hash functions are used to write new transactions into the blockchain and to ensure the data encoded is secure. 

Hashing is the operation of turning a random input of data into a fixed size string of text, using a mathematical function. In simple terms, this means that a string of text will be changed into a settled array of numbers and letters through an algorithm. 

These functions ultimately ensure the immutability of the blockchain—the ability to remain a permanent history of transactions. But this is also why blockchain development is a bit more difficult than programming in centralized ecosystems. 

Designing these protocols takes a long time, because you need to craft them with perfection.  In theory, after uploading code, you can’t change it with very few exceptions. 

We recommend opting in to as many online courses as you can to get a better understanding of this technology.

For starters: 

Beyond video lectures and courses there are also some great books. 

By no means is this an exhaustive list, but if you read and apply the material from above, you'll be well on your way to becoming a blockchain developer. 

5. Gas, miners, and the cost of running smart contracts

Source 

As a blockchain developer, you're also going to need to understand the role "gas" plays in the Ethereum ecosystem. 

At the most basic level, gas refers to the cost necessary for a transaction to be run on the Ethereum network. Miners, who are responsible for the network continuing to run, set the supply and demand by deciding how much gas is needed to process transactions and other smart contracts. 

It's helpful to think of gas as literal gasoline for your car, you need it to drive. The gas station, therefore, can be compared to miners who sell you the gas you need. The cost of you buying gas is the "miner fees."
Here's an excellent short video that covers the high-level basics. 

Although Ethereum is incredibly popular, gas fees can often be incredibly cost prohibitive. As a user, knowing how to save on gas fees is better for your crypto portfolio. Working towards making gas more cost friendly while also supporting miners fairly,  is a priority for many developers in the crypto space. 

Other networks, like Solana for example, have transaction costs significantly lower than Ethereum but have shown signs of strain when enduring high volumes of transactions.

How do you connect with the blockchain developer community?

The best way to connect with the blockchain developer community is by joining Discord servers and communities, engaging web3 developers and thought leaders on Twitter, and participating in web3 hackathons and conferences. 

It's no secret that knowing how to program is going to play the largest role in blockchain developer success, but there are many things you can do that don't involve a single line of code. 

The community of blockchain creators meets primarily in two places on the web: Discord and Twitter. The most important discussions take place there, and that’s also where you can build relationships and look for jobs. 

Unlike the traditional workplace, you don’t need to have a serious suit photo on LinkedIn. In the world of Web3, what matters most is your substantive knowledge—your blockchain sweat equity mainly gained from practice, tracking crypto influencers, taking courses, participating in hackathons etc. 

If you post interesting content about crypto and blockchain, you can meet people and get noticed even if you are anonymous with a funny picture as an avatar.

Here are some great Discord servers and communities where you should be present:

And here are some top crypto and blockchain thought leaders you should consider following:

Additionally, while not everyone's cup of tea, attending conferences can be a great way to connect in person and develop professional relationships. We couldn't possibly list them all, but here is an extensive list to get you started.

You’re a future blockchain developer in the making

Whether you're new to the world of programming, or just want to level up your blockchain career, there's no way around it—you're going to need to put in the work.
That said, crypto and blockchain technology is transforming the world of finance, business, culture and more and the opportunities are endless.

Following the suggestions and tips in this guide, will get you well on your way to becoming a developer at the forefront of this global transformation. Alchemy is one of the leading node service providers in Web3. Our other offerings include Enhanced APIs, Notify API and our newest addition NFT API.

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