According to LinkedIn, blockchain is the number one hard skill companies need most right now. The biggest driver of this demand is the lack of professionals who are well versed in blockchain developer tools and technologies used for development.
To pursue a career in blockchain, you’ll need to be familiar with a number of tools used by blockchain developers.
Here’s an overview of blockchain technology and the top blockchain developer tools.
What is Blockchain?
Before we dive into which blockchain developer tools are most commonly used, it’s important to understand what exactly blockchain is and how it’s built.
According to IBM, blockchain is “a shared, immutable ledger that facilitates the process of recording transactions and tracking assets in a business network. An asset can be tangible (a house, car, cash, land) or intangible (intellectual property, patents, copyrights, branding). Virtually anything of value can be tracked and traded on a blockchain network, reducing risk and cutting costs for all involved.”.
With worldwide spending on blockchain expected to reach $19 billion by 2024, there’s no question that blockchain developer tools — and the skilled professionals who use them — will play a pivotal role.
Now, let’s look a little closer at some of the most popular blockchain developer tools.
Blockchain as a Service (BaaS)
Blockchain as a service involves the creation and management of building blockchain applications using cloud-based solutions.
Based on the software as a service (SaaS) model, BaaS works in a similar way, with a third-party service enabling functionality. Users can operate, build and host various blockchain actions and blockchain apps. By choosing a cloud-based service provider, users benefit from having a third party responsible for ensuring agility and optimal performance.
MetaMask
When dealing with money, you’re going to need a wallet, which is exactly what you get with MetaMask. Considered one of the simplest Ethereum wallets and dapp browsers to use, MetaMask is easy to install and designed to let users store Ether and other ERC-20 tokens. This means users can make complete transactions for any Ethereum address.
Ganache
As one of the blockchain developer tools from the Truffle Suite, Ganache is designed to allow locally replicated blockchain environments and test out smart contracts.
The way smart contracts are executed on the Ethereum blockchain differs from other types of software. It provides complete control of the chain operation and allows users to execute commands and test dapps.
Geth
Geth is one of the most common blockchain developer tools around and can be used in three different interfaces: the command line, the interactive console and the JSON-RPC server.
Supporting blockchain technology through Mac and Windows OS, as well as Linux, Geth is based on the Go programming language and operates as an Ethereum node implementation. Working with Geth users get an automatic connection with the Ethereum network and the ability to connect to existing blockchains.
Remix IDE
As another one of the more well-known blockchain developer tools, Remix IDE has the appeal of being an open-source web and desktop application. Designed to promote a quicker cycle of development, it’s used for end-to-end contract development.
Remix IDE also leverages MetaMask to allow easy connection to Ethereum, which makes it an ideal place to better learn Ethereum. Plus, it can also assist with functions needed for writing, testing, debugging and deploying smart contracts in Solidity.
Truffle Framework
The primary goal for blockchain developer tools is to simplify processes for users, and the Truffle Framework doesn’t disappoint. As a framework focused on development for Ethereum, it works as a pipeline for assets, a testing framework, and a development environment for Ethereum.
Truffle Framework offers users a robust library with custom deployments for creating smart contracts, along with features including compilation and deployment.
Ready to Master Blockchain Developer Tools?
With the increasing need for workers skilled in blockchain development tools, anyone looking to work in this field can expect highly competitive salaries.
For those newer to the field, or who want to uplevel their skills with blockchain developer tools, additional training will give you a competitive edge.
Udacity’s Blockchain Developer Nanodegree program enables learners to work with the Bitcoin and Ethereum protocols, build projects for real-world application, and gain the essential skills for a career in this dynamic space.
