Mastering The Top 10 Blockchain Development Languages

Blockchain will revolutionize the way companies do business. Companies across industries such as healthcare, logistics, energy, utilities, and FinTech are leveraging blockchain technology to improve workflow efficiencies and make operations more transparent, secure, and agile. Looking for opportunities.

On the other hand, many companies question which programming language to use to build their apps in a highly competitive market. In this article, we’ll take a look at various programming languages ​​used to develop blockchain apps and find out which one is best for you.

Read more: Blockchain Future 1: Basic Knowledge about Blockchain and the Future

What is a Blockchain Development Language?

Blockchain is a distributed ledger in which all nodes are connected by P2P and share the same data without a centralized administrator or client-server.

Its features include:

• Once recorded, data cannot be changed
• All participants can view the data
• The risk of being hacked is low
• It has excellent distribution, and even if a problem occurs in one node, many other nodes are still operating, so the system does not go down.
• Contracts can be automatically executed (smart contract)
• Low running cost

There is something like this.

Currently, the competition for blockchain development is heating up, so developing a blockchain with the above functions from scratch would be too costly and time-consuming.

Therefore, we will use the blockchain framework to speed up development and improve accuracy. In order to utilize this framework, knowledge and skills in the development language are required.

Each development language has its own characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses, so it is necessary to decide which development language and framework to use according to the development purpose.

For example, processing speed is the most prominent characteristic of a developmental language. The interpreted type takes more time to process than the compiled type. Depending on whether you want to build a large-scale public chain or a small private chain, it will be suitable or unsuitable. Your options may change depending on whether you are in a hurry to develop or have time to spare before release.

By the way, blockchain is used for:

• Traceability of food and pharmaceuticals
• Certificate of authenticity and transcript
• Copyright management
• Financial services
• NFT games
• Distribution and management of own currency

After deciding what kind of application to develop a blockchain from among these, we will identify the most suitable language for that development and proceed with development while utilizing that framework.

By the way, what is required of blockchain engineers is not just programming skills. It is also necessary to understand and implement cryptographic techniques such as public keys and private keys, consensus algorithms (consensus formation), etc. Hence, it can be said that a certain amount of learning ability and strong will are required to become a well-rounded blockchain engineer.

Read more: Top 5 most used blockchain frameworks! Advantages, disadvantages, and tips to choose the best!

Here are the 10 most popular blockchain development languages in 2023.

10 Most Used Blockchain Development Languages

Java

Java can be used for IBM’s “HyperLedger Fabric”, which is the most widely used blockchain framework for B2B companies.　HyperLedger Fabric has received strong inquiries in typical blockchain application fields such as food traceability, medical data management, financial systems, and IoT, so being able to use Java will increase your advantage as an engineer.

Although Java was developed in 1996, it is still one of the most popular programming languages ​​in the software and application development field.

Advantages

• Java is known for its fast processing speed, which makes it suitable for developing high-performance applications.
• Java has a strong focus on security, which is critical for many industries such as finance and healthcare.
• Java is highly scalable, and it can be used to build applications that can handle a large number of users and data.
• Java has a vast collection of APIs and libraries, which makes it easier for developers to create complex applications.

Disadvantages

• Java is an object-oriented programming language, and mastering it can take some time, especially for beginners.
• Learning Java can be expensive as it requires specialized training and education, which can be costly.
• The Java ecosystem can be challenging to navigate, and there are many tools, frameworks, and libraries to choose from, which can be overwhelming for beginners.

C++

C++ is famous as the development language of Bitcoin, and it has a long history since being developed in 1983. It is an extremely versatile object-oriented development language that is indispensable for implementing cutting-edge technologies such as AI, robotics, and IoT in addition to blockchain.

Advantages

• Fast processing speed
• High versatility
• Suitable for building large-scale systems
• Suitable for high load and complicated processing

Disadvantages

• It takes time to master object-oriented
• C- language-related knowledge is required

Solidity

Solidity is the go-to for implementing smart contracts on Ethereum, and the developer is Ethereum. It is called contract-oriented, and its purpose and role are fundamentally different from those of other development languages.

In the world of virtual currency, it is a driving force that has made it possible to provide unprecedented services such as non-fungible tokens (NFT), blockchain games, and DeFi, as well as limited functions such as remittance and payment. Future blockchain development will strongly question how unique and highly effective services can be built, so the use of smart contracts is essential. In that sense, it can be said to be one of the most important development languages.

Advantages

• Solidity is the primary programming language for writing smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain, making it an essential language in the blockchain development field.
• Solidity’s syntax is similar to JavaScript, making it relatively easy to learn for developers who are familiar with JavaScript.
• Solidity enables the implementation of complex smart contract logic that can automate transactions and enforce rules without the need for intermediaries.

Disadvantages

• Smart contracts written in Solidity are susceptible to vulnerabilities, and security is a significant concern when developing on the Ethereum blockchain. Bugs or errors in smart contracts can lead to the loss of funds or even complete network disruption.
• Solidity is still a relatively new language, and the tooling and documentation are not as mature as other programming languages.

Overall, Solidity is a powerful programming language that enables developers to create complex smart contract logic on the Ethereum blockchain. However, due to its relatively new and rapidly evolving nature, developers need to be aware of the security risks and take the necessary precautions to ensure their smart contracts are secure.

GO

It is a relatively new development language developed by Google in 2009. It is very popular among engineers because it is close to the C language and Java syntax, is simple, has an abundance of libraries, and has a wide range of applications.

In addition to blockchain, it is possible to develop drones, robotics, IoT, build native apps and web servers, etc. However, it should be noted that some functions such as code inheritance and generics cannot be used due to the pursuit of an efficient development environment.

Advantages

• Go is a fast and efficient language, making it suitable for large-scale system development and high-performance applications.
• Go has an extensive library that includes packages for network programming, cryptography, and web development, making it easier for developers to build complex applications.
• Go is designed with a focus on safety and security, with features such as garbage collection and memory safety built into the language.
• Go has simplified grammar, making it easier for developers to read and write code, and it can be implemented with less code than other languages.

Disadvantages

• Go is a relatively new language, and the tooling and documentation are not as mature as other programming languages.
• Go’s minimalistic design means that some features that are common in other languages, such as code inheritance and generics, are not available, which can make it challenging to implement certain types of applications.

JavaScript

JavaScript is effective when providing blockchain services on web browsers. You can add dynamic expressions to your web pages, and combining them with HTML and CSS will further improve their functionality. In blockchain development, for example, you can connect your app’s front end to the Ethereum network and smart contracts.

Advantages

• Since it is an interpreter type, it is easy to check at the time of execution.
• Object-oriented and simple syntax
• Wide range of utilization
• Can handle both front-end and server-side
• Extensive library with high practicality
• Abundant accumulation of know-how (utilization results)

Disadvantages

• Processing speed is slow
• Performance varies by browser

C＃

C # originates from the C language, is even more versatile than C++, and is suitable for various application development, game development, VR / AR development, etc. There are quite a few engineers who become fans of its high usability after using it once.

Advantages

• Fast processing speed
• Environment construction is easy
• High versatility
• It is object-oriented, and it is easy to respond to customization and specification changes.
• Extensive library

Disadvantages

• The large storage capacity required
• Syntax is long
• Mistakes cannot be checked until the compilation is complete.

Python

The feature is that it is very easy to understand by adopting the offside rule that uses indentation for each block. Its rich library and simple grammar make it easy to learn, and it has become very popular in recent years.

In addition to blockchain, it can be used for developing web applications, AI, games, embedded applications, etc.

Advantages

• Simplified grammar
• Extensive library
• Easy to master even for beginners
• Can be used in cutting-edge technology fields

Disadvantages

• Processing speed is slow
• If the indent is off, an error will occur.

PHP

PHP, which has been used for the development of Facebook, WordPress, etc., is used for web application development and website construction. Dynamic web pages can be created by combining with HTML and CSS. It helps you use blockchain in your browser.

Advantages

• The syntax is even simpler than Java and C
• Abundant frameworks with high practicality

Disadvantages

• Processing speed is slow
• Low versatility as it is used almost exclusively for developing web applications and websites

Ruby

Ruby is Japan’s first development language and specializes in building websites. It can also be used for games, smartphone app development and scraping. The code is simple and easy to learn even for beginners. It helps you use blockchain in your browser.

Advantages

• Reduced man-hours for development due to object orientation
• Simplified grammar
• Since it is an interpreter type, it is easy to check at the time of execution

Disadvantages

• Processing speed is slow
• Because there is a wide degree of freedom in writing methods, there are differences in how code is written depending on the person (it is necessary to unify the writing method within the team)

Rust

Rust has become very popular among engineers in recent years. It aims to be a development language to replace C and C++, and it is also used in the main services of US tech giants such as Google and Amazon due to its high security and high performance. Compared to other languages, the processing speed is increased by making effective use of memory space, and the ability to process in parallel is a major feature. It automatically handles memory release, overflow, etc., so it is very useful for preventing engineering mistakes.

Advantages

• Fast processing speed
• Good at parallel processing
• Highly safe
• Engineer mistakes can be prevented

Disadvantages

• Not good at developing UI and AI (artificial intelligence)

Relipa has 7 years of experience working as a contractor for Japanese IT companies in the fields of information technology and blockchain. Aiming for low-cost and efficient offshore development, BrSE with excellent Japanese language skills, project managers, and high-quality developers will guarantee quality while conducting “reporting and consultation” 100% in Japanese during the contract period.

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Summary

Blockchain technology is a pivotal factor in advancing Web 3.0, with its applications continually expanding to encompass various industries such as manufacturing, finance, international trade, medical care and health, disaster countermeasures, rights verification and management, and entertainment. Thus, the current moment presents an opportune time to focus on developing blockchain technology.

Relipa is committed to providing robust assistance for your blockchain project. Our organization boasts a plethora of adept engineers who possess a high level of proficiency in English. Therefore, we cordially invite you to reach out to us at your convenience whenever you require our services.