NFTs are attracting attention from many investors around the world as a proof of the irreplaceable and unique value of digital content. As proof of this, a digital art work published as a NFT in March 2021 was sold for about 7.9 billion JPY.
Nowadays, even artworks drawn by children are sold and bought at a very high price of several million JPY, and even game characters are also exhibited as NFT, which is definitely a investment target. So <a href="../../blogs/nft-development-the-ultimate-guide-from-nft-game-widiland" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how can we develop an NFT (Non-Fungible Token)?</a>
NFTs can list digital content such as images, videos, and event tickets in a dedicated marketplace with a simple procedure. However, when it comes to apps such as games, it is necessary to develop through a well-formed process. Therefore, in this blog, we will explain in detail what kind of programming language and framework is required to develop NFT.
<div class="mce-toc">
<h2>Table of Contents</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9g">About NFT</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9h">NFT and Ethereum</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9i">What is Ethereum?</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9j">What is the ERC standard?</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9k">Ethereum and smart contracts</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9l">"Solidity" language for creating Smart contracts</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9m">"Truffle" framework of "Solidity"</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9n">Summary</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2 id="mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9g">About NFT</h2>
NFT stands for and has the meaning of "Non-Fungible Token". Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, even cash usually do not vary in value no matter how many token is exchanged. There is no difference in the value of 100 JPY for a person and 100 JPY for another. This "exchangeable&rdquo; means &ldquo;fungible".
On the other hand, NFT is an irreplaceable (non-fungible) token that proves ownership to digital content by a digital data unit on the blockchain, such as sculptures and jewels, giving those the value that is unique in the world. Traditionally, digital content can be duplicated indefinitely on the Internet, and the same images on one person's computer can exist on another person's computer as many times as possible. And it was almost impossible to prove any one of them as the owner. However, it was NFT that realized this in a way that it could not be tampered with or forged with blockchain technology, and it had a great impact on people&rsquo;s concern all over the world.
Therefore, by using NFT, it is possible to add value as an original ownership to images, videos, and music, such as paintings and hanging scrolls. Moreover, the target is expanding to RPG games and trading card games. One example is the NFT game "My Crypto Heroes", which was released for the first time in Japan. This game can be played on both PCs and smartphones, and players aim to conquer the world by collecting items such as weapons that are also NFTs while collecting world heroes made with NFTs. Characters and items are NFTs, so you can buy and sell them in a marketplace.
However, in NFT market, if you want to sell a character from a general online game or social game, you cannot do it. Unless it is a game created using a special technology called smart contract on the crypto asset of Ethereum, which will be explained later, it is impossible to add value to characters as an NFT or buy or sell it in the market.&nbsp;
In addition, it is possible to build a mechanism that rewards the original author each time the work is delivered to a buyer different from the secondary and tertiary by utilizing smart contracts. It can be said that it is a remarkable feature unique to NFT.
<h2 id="mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9h">NFT and Ethereum</h2>
NFT trading and development cannot be considered without Ethereum. In other words, the NFT system works because of Ethereum, which is called a blockchain "platform&rdquo;, which is different from other cryptocurrencies. So, let's continue with the ERC standards that are essential for Ethereum and NFT development.
<h3 id="mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9i">What is Ethereum?</h3>
Ethereum is the second most popular blockchain after Bitcoin. It was released in January 2014. The key currency is Ethereum (ETH), which generates blocks every 15 seconds, so it is much faster than Bitcoin, which takes about 10 minutes, and it can be traded in large quantities. Ethereum is a decentralized application platform, and by using a mechanism called smart contract, which will be described later, it is possible to create and run unique tokens and applications on the blockchain. This is a big difference from other crypto assets, and it is the reason why NFT can be operated.
Ethereum, which is a platform type, is a very attractive blockchain for developers because it has a high degree of freedom and various software can be created. Therefore, since its birth, many people have started to create their own tokens by utilizing this. However, if you make a token on the blockchain, you need an individual wallet (an online wallet that is absolutely necessary when dealing with virtual currency), and it is not compatible if the token standard is different. Therefore, if each developer freely creates tokens in his own way, it is not practical because it requires troublesome work such as setting up a different wallet each time.&nbsp;
Therefore, if this standard is unified, wallets can be centrally managed and compatibility will be created, so the idea that it will lead to the development of the Ethereum market due to its ease of use is born.
<h3 id="mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9j">What is the ERC standard?</h3>
With the above circumstances, the common standard for smart contracts (described later) called "ERC" was established with the aim of improving convenience for the entire developer community. It will become a formal standard once it is proposed on GitHub and approved by the developer community. (GitHub is a service provided by Microsoft-affiliated US company GitHub that allows multiple software developers to manage and share source code.)
ERC20 was first born in November 2015, and when it was released, it was used to create a number of unique tokens. And ERC223 was born in March 2017 as the improved version.&nbsp;
Furthermore, "ERC721" was born in September of the same year with the purpose of developing the idea of ​​this common standard in a completely different direction.
Unlike the previous ERCs, this ERC721 has made it possible to create an irreplaceable new type of token called NFT. All NFTs are created according to the rules of this ERC721, and conversely, the app cannot be launched on Ethereum unless it complies with this standard. Of course, Japan's first NFT game "My Crypto Heroes" introduced earlier was also developed according to the ERC721 standard.
By the way, Canada's Dapper Labs launched the world's first NFT game "CryptoKitties" just two months after approval (November 2017) after proposing this ERC721. This "CryptoKitties" ignited the NFT game and at the same time raised the awareness of NFT worldwide.
<h2 id="mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9k">Ethereum and smart contracts</h2>
ERC is a common standard for "smart contracts," which are indispensable technologies for Ethereum. A smart contract is a program that automatically executes transactions on the blockchain according to rules coded in a specific programming language. The program coded here is converted into a form that can be processed on the blockchain and then deployed. Software and applications once deployed on the blockchain are almost impossible to rewrite or tamper with. Moreover, it has the advantages of speed improvement and cost reduction.
ERC is proposed on GitHub by any developers and will become a formal smart contract standard if approved within the community, but the numbers following ERC represent the order in which they were proposed. This means that the first born ERC20 was proposed the 20th. And the 721st proposal and approval was ERC721.
Using the ERC721 standard, NFTs can be developed, certifying ownership of digital content and recording all transaction history on the Ethereum blockchain. Therefore, all transactions are traceable, so no matter how many times you buy or sell, you won't lose track of who your content belongs to. Moreover, if you embed a royalty clause in a smart contract, the original author will be paid a certain percentage each time a sale is completed, so the copyright is also firmly guaranteed.
<h2 id="mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9l">"Solidity" language for creating Smart contracts</h2>
To develop an NFT according to the ERC721 standard, we use a program development language called "Solidity". Solidity is a high-level object-oriented programming language created solely for the development of smart contracts on Ethereum. Since it is a high-level language, it needs to be compiled like C language and Java. It is based on C ++ and is made with reference to Python and JavaScript, and especially because it has a grammar similar to JavaScript, it will be very easy to use if you have development experience with JavaScript. Moreover, as the update is ongoing, the accuracy will improve over time.
Since "Solidity" is a high-level programming language, it is easy for people to understand, but it is difficult for computers to understand. Therefore, we will go through the process of translating it into low-level bytecode using EVM (Ethereum virtual machine) and executing it. You can also create smart contracts in a Python-like language called "Vyper", but it is still inexperienced and practically not comparable to "Solidity". Therefore, it is safe to assume that "Solidity" will be used for NFT development for now.
<h2 id="mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9m">"Truffle" framework of "Solidity"</h2>
Solidity has "Truffle" as a de facto standard framework, which is already widely used in many development situations. Truffle has the ability to automate the compilation, testing and deployment of smart contracts. The flow of using Truffle is to first create an application template. Next, compile the smart contract, launch the node for local development, deploy the smart contract to the node, and test it. Therefore, if you make good use of Truffle, you can quickly and easily create smart contracts using Solidity, so we highly recommend it.
<h2 id="mcetoc_1ga8h7o2p9n">Summary</h2>
I told you in detail about NFT (Non-Fungible Token). If you want to develop and implement NFT, the existence of Ethereum is indispensable. However, Ethereum is worried that gas charges (commissions) are soaring even in many virtual currencies. In other words, this high gas cost can be a major obstacle to entering the market.
Therefore, the development of a new blockchain that does not cost much fees is progressing, so there is a possibility that the way NFTs should be will change in the future. If more gameplay and investors can participate in the NFT market, the market size is expected to grow further in the future. In that sense, now is a great opportunity to develop NFTs.
Relipa is specialized only for Japanese companies, and excellent engineers will help you develop NFT (Non-Fungible Token). If you are a startup or developer who is thinking of entering the NFT market in earnest, please feel free to contact us.
&nbsp;

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Blockchain Future 1: Basic Knowledge about Blockchain and the Future

<div class="mce-toc" style="text-align: justify;">
<h2>Table of Contents</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rc">The high demand for blockchain-related skills</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rd">Blockchain-related skills 1: Understanding cryptography</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6re">Blockchain-related skills 2: Understanding the mechanism</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rf">Blockchain-related skills 3: Programming languages</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rg">Blockchain-related qualifications</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rh">Cryptocurrency skill test</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6ri">Applied Information Engineer Examination</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rj">How to accumulate and cultivate blockchain-related skills</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rk">Programming school/Mentors</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rl">Online course</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rm">Self-study with books</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rn">summary&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
The demand for blockchain technology, such as NFT, Metaverse, and the appearance of digital currency is on an upward trend annually. On the other hand, the lack of well-rounded engineers hinders blockchain development and implementation. In plain English, in case you have a firm ground knowledge of blockchain development skills, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that your value will be highly appreciated.
Therefore, in this article, we will give you an overview of accumulating and cultivating blockchain-related skills, necessary technologies, and qualifications.
<h2 id="mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rc" style="text-align: justify;">The high demand for blockchain-related skills</h2>
Blockchain, which has gained popularity as a foundation for cryptographic assets, is now expanding its applications not only in the financial field but also in logistics, distribution, manufacturing, health care, real estate, government, etc. The reason for this is that blockchain is an excellent system backed by advanced technology and mechanisms that are highly reliable, secure, non-falsified, and quick.
However, due to its peculiarity, the current situation is that there is a large shortage of qualified blockchain engineers to meet the needs. Therefore, it can be said that the significance of acquiring blockchain-related skills is very high.
<h2 id="mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rd" style="text-align: justify;">Blockchain-related skills 1: Understanding cryptography</h2>
Let's take a closer look at what kind of blockchain-related skills are required.
Initially, you need to have a firm grasp knowledge of cryptographic technology which is the core component to making blockchain secure.
Specifically, you need to consolidate your knowledge of hash functions that prevent data tampering, public key cryptography, and digital signatures essential for keeping communication data confidential, multi-sig, and pseudo-random number generators in smart contracts.&nbsp;
<h2 id="mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6re" style="text-align: justify;">Blockchain-related skills 2: Understanding the mechanism</h2>
Not only is cryptographic technology required, but it is also necessary to understand how blockchains work.
All nodes are connected one-to-one by P2P, and consensus is formed as a whole so that all these nodes share the same data.
With blockchain, sometimes you can't see the other person's face at all, and you don't know who they are. Of course, there is a good chance that an untrustworthy partner is lurking. However, it goes without saying that if the validity of transactions and the authenticity of data cannot be guaranteed, the system will not function. What is essential for this is consensus building, which is called a consensus algorithm.
There are multiple methods such as PoW (Proof of Work) represented by Bitcoin, PoS (Proof of Stake) represented by Ethereum, Endorse + Ordering Service used in Hyperledger Fabric, etc.
It is also important to understand the smart contracts required to create Dapps. A smart contract is a mechanism that automatically executes a contract according to a program, which makes it possible to give various functions to the blockchain.
Read more:&nbsp;<a href="../../blogs/blockchain-future-the-expected-future-use-cases-of-blockchain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blockchain Future 2: The expected future use cases of blockchain&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>
<h2 id="mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rf" style="text-align: justify;">Blockchain-related skills 3: Programming languages</h2>
A final related skill that is essential is learning a programming language.
Specifically, C++ is used to develop Bitcoin, Go language is used to implement client software "Go Ethereum" provided by Ethereum, and blockchain is used to implement blockchain on the web. JavaScript and Solidity, which are used to develop smart contracts, are the main ones.
Neither of them is new nor special languages, and they are already familiar with development sites and relatively easy to master, so if you can learn them as required, blockchain development will become familiar.
<h2 id="mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rg" style="text-align: justify;">Blockchain-related qualifications</h2>
Let us introduce two qualifications that are effective for acquiring blockchain skills.
<h3 id="mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rh" style="text-align: justify;">Cryptocurrency skill test</h3>
It is implemented by the Japan Cryptocurrency Skills Certification Association (JCCA). It will be a form of taking the exam after attending the prescribed course. Mechanisms, laws, and business uses of crypto assets and blockchain.
You will be able to objectively prove that you have such knowledge.
It is divided into three levels: the beginner level &ldquo;Cryptocurrency Advisor&rdquo;, the advanced &ldquo;Certified Cryptocurrency Skills Advisor&rdquo;, and the highest level &ldquo;Certified Cryptocurrency Skills Advanced Advisor&rdquo;. Beginners and advanced levels can be obtained by taking courses for a fee, taking online exams, oral exams, etc. The highest grade is premised on obtaining a cryptocurrency advisor qualification and accumulating a certain activity record.
<h3 id="mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6ri" style="text-align: justify;">Applied Information Engineer Examination</h3>
It is an examination sponsored by Information-technology Promotion Agency and is held twice a year, in spring and autumn.
This is a highly difficult qualification for those who aim to become highly skilled IT personnel who are familiar with the planning of information strategies, the realization of IT solutions, and the development, operation, and maintenance of information systems, databases, and networks. It's a tough exam lasting 5 hours, 150 minutes in the morning and 150 minutes in the afternoon.
Read more:&nbsp;<a href="../../blogs/blockchain-future-the-expected-future-use-cases-of-blockchain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blockchain Future 2: The expected future use cases of blockchain</a>
<h2 id="mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rj" style="text-align: justify;">How to accumulate and cultivate blockchain-related skills</h2>
<h3 id="mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rk" style="text-align: justify;">Programming school/Mentors</h3>
Blockchain skills require not only programming language but also a lot of learning, such as intensifying your understanding of the blockchain mechanism and acquiring software development skills. Therefore, a programming school where you can go to school or a mentor who comes to your home and teaches you is easy to maintain motivation, and you can ask questions to the instructor on the spot, which will be a great advantage.
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><a href="https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/web-development/online-coding-schools/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MITxPRO Professional Certificate in Coding (Full-Time)</a>: You can choose between attending part-time and full-time courses. Because of the custom-made curriculum, it is possible to learn according to the progress. In the case of online, in addition to mentoring once a week, you can consult and ask questions via chat or video call, so even beginners can feel at ease.</li>
<li><a href="https://teachers.tech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tech Teacher</a>: A great advantage is that you can study at your own pace according to a custom-made curriculum that matches your level and proficiency. The instructor will come directly to your home and you can ask questions on the spot if you don't understand something, so your understanding will increase considerably. You will be charged for the time you receive instruction, and you will also need to pay for transportation from the instructor's residence to your home.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rl" style="text-align: justify;">Online course</h3>
Currently, most schools where you can learn blockchain are online classes. The location and time are flexible, and the cost is affordable, so it is recommended for busy business man or office workers and students, but if you do not have a strong will, it may be difficult to complete the course. However, if you choose a one-on-one format, it will be effective in maintaining motivation.
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><a href="https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=blockchain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coursera</a>: Coursera is the most prevalent learning management system which covers a wide range of knowledge in various fields. Especially, a huge amount of organizations and top-notch universities provide blockchain-related courses from beginner to specialization.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rm" style="text-align: justify;">Self-study with books</h3>
In theory, it is possible to learn blockchain-related skills from books. However, learning from scratch requires a strong will and takes time to learn, so the risk of setbacks is high.
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">"Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies Is Changing the World" Don Tapscott and blockchain expert Alex Tapscott&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Don and Alex Tapscott, the authors of &ldquo;Blockchain Revolution&rdquo; clearly explain how Blockchain technology works, how it will scale in the future, and transform everything completely online.
This book also explains the different ways blockchain technology is changing the future of transactions, money, and business.
Don Tapscott, the best-selling author of &ldquo;Wikinomics,&rdquo; and his son Alex Tapscott, a blockchain expert, showcased a well-researched fundamental book on the future of the economy.
This is considered a pastime for business leaders for the next decade and beyond. According to Tapscott, this technology will enhance the provision of expanded financial services, protection of personally identifiable information, and personal and business contracts.
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">"Blockchain: Down The Rabbit Hole: (Discover The Power Of The Blockchain)" by Tim&nbsp;Lea</li>
</ul>
It is recommended for engineers with development experience because it not only provides a detailed understanding of how blockchain works but also explains practical examples with specific examples.
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">"Introduction to Blockchain Technology: Theory and Practice" by Shigeichiro Yamazaki, Kodansha&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
It covers everything you need to know about blockchain from basic technology to application and business use, making it the perfect textbook for engineers who want to learn in earnest. It is divided into 15 chapters according to the theme, and there are plenty of easy-to-understand illustrations, so you can study without hesitation.
Read more:&nbsp;<a href="../../blogs/blockchain-future-basic-knowledge-about-blockchain-and-the-future" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blockchain Future 1: Basic Knowledge about Blockchain and the Future</a>
<h2 id="mcetoc_1gvsl3ab6rn" style="text-align: justify;">Summary&nbsp;</h2>
It is undeniable that the demand for skilled blockchain engineers will be on the rise in the future. If you grasp the chance and equip yourself with professional skills and knowledge, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that you obtain a better salary and career path than the people jostling with you in the queue for sought-after jobs. So why postpone it, let&rsquo;s start your career immediately.
<a href="../../contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Relipa has a large number of engineers who have mastered the blockchain skills introduced in this article at a high level and have extensive development experience. If you have any requests for blockchain development, please feel free to contact us.</a>

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