Blockchain is already revolutionizing all sectors of activity, but also all aspects of our daily lives. You already know this if you have invested in cryptocurrencies. If you are looking to working in the blockchain sector, then web development is perhaps the best way to get there.
In fact, the number of jobs linked to Web3 is exploding. This is why, today, being a blockchain developer is a real professional opportunity. Unemployment is far away for technicians in this new discipline. Job offers are exploding.
University courses for become a blockchain developer are almost non-existent (at least in France). If this is something that interests you, you are probably wondering where to start.
In this article, we will therefore take stock of the different steps to becoming a blockchain developer (whether you are completely new to this, or already have knowledge and experience as a coder).
What does a blockchain developer do?
The shortest answer to this question is: develop blockchains. But that certainly doesn't help you.
Concretely, there are several ways to become a blockchain developer. You can be a:
- Core blockchain developer : it is he who is responsible for the security and architecture of a blockchain. It will therefore create the foundations on which other developers can then build.
- or a blockchain software developer, which will therefore use the basic architecture to create applications, and in particular Dapps (decentralized applications).
What are the missions of a blockchain developer?
In some cases, developers can fulfill both roles (especially for small projects, where teams are used to wearing multiple hats). But whatever specialty you plan to choose, your daily responsibilities as a Blockchain developer will mainly be:
- Design the protocols Blockchain;
- Develop the network architecture that will centralize or decentralize data;
- Develop the backend according to Blockchain protocols;
- Design the front-end according to your client's requirements;
- Develop and monitor all smart contracts
The responsibility of the Blockchain developer is to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. He also carries out analysis, design, development, testing and debugging of computer software. It is still to him that we entrust the role of developing software, carrying out the integration of the operating architecture and the selection of the computer system. Finally, he operates on several systems and applies his knowledge of one or more platforms and programming languages.
In addition to the variety of his missions, becoming a blockchain developer also requires being well armed against several obstacles. For example, working on an imposed infrastructure (and dealing with its limits), while meeting the expectations inherent to a Blockchain development project.
Additionally, it is difficult to understand the technical feasibility of implementing decentralized cryptosystems, or processes that fall outside the scope of traditional IT development skills. This means that a Blockchain developer must possess highly specialized skills.
How to train to become a blockchain developer?
If you want to become a blockchain developer, but you are completely new to the world of programming and web development, you will have to start from scratch.
Which is not necessarily a bad thing, since'it is sometimes easier to learn without any pre-concept. On the other hand, the path will certainly be a little longer, and will require a lot of concentration and dedication. But with the prospects that blockchain offers (in terms of opportunities and salary): the game is worth it!
To begin, you will needr familiarize yourself with blockchain as a discipline.
1. ?? Learn the basics of blockchain
If you want to become a blockchain developer, you will have to start by taking an interest in the history of this technology, and different applications that it subsequently experienced. The the history of the creation of Bitcoin, through decentralized finance, NFTs and more recently Web3, the objective is to fully immerse yourself in this new world and understand its technical aspects, but also the philosophy underlying blockchain!
You are also in the right place to do so, since this blog is full of resources on the world of blockchain, its actors and its most recent developments.
2. ?? Train yourself through online training
Even if their name does not have much academic seriousness, online courses like cryptozombies et Space Doggos can allow you to learn Solidity Code, used to code smart contracts.
It's a good starting point for mastering Blockchain development, in a fun way and much less intimidating than more advanced training.
The BitDegree platform is great for independent learners. The courses are very inexpensive and accessible depending on the level. Many courses are in French even if the majority are in English…
➡️ Alyra school
It is the reference in France for those who want to become a blockchain developer. The training is solid and comprehensive. It is also possible to follow training as a blockchain consultant.
With the Alyra school, the training is CPF eligible. This opens the training to more people depending on the situation. We recommend theAlyra school if you want to train.
The best online training courses to learn blockchain
The only downside regarding online training is certainly the fact that the vast majority are in English. That said, it remains essential to master English in general, for this discipline.
Other coding resources for beginners include:
- IBM blockchain training : free learning resources from one of the world's largest technology companies
- Codeacademy : to learn blockchain with Python
- edX : free online courses from world-renowned universities
- Blockchain Council : who issues blockchain certifications
- Learn Nearby : A space to learn to code on Near.
Not to mention the hundreds of tutorials and more or less advanced training courses that you can find with a simple search on Google or YouTube!
3. Master the different blockchain programming languages
To become a Blockchain developer, you also need to be comfortable with multiple programming languages. The idea is not to know them all inside out, but rather those which are most used in the blockchain as well as their specific functions/applications.
For example, you will need to familiarize yourself with:
- Solidity, the original int contract development languageelligents (and dApps) developed by the founder of Ethereum, Vitalik Buterin.
- C++ : a rather general programming language that is used for many blockchain projects, such as Bitcoin. There EOS blockchain was also coded in C++.
- Java : one of the main web programming languages. It is known to be extremely portable (i.e. accessible and usable almost anywhere in the world). Java is also a general-purpose programming language, and many blockchain projects have been coded in Java, including Ethereum, NEO, IOTA and Hyperledger Fabric)
- Python : the second most widespread programming language in the world. It is particularly prevalent in the world of IoT, application development and blockchain.
- Simplicity : a new language specially designed to develop smart contracts. Simplicity was created to become the high-level blockchain language for developing and reading smart contracts).
4. Parallel skills to acquire to become a good blockchain developer
Also think about interested in cryptography. Although you don't need to be a subject matter expert to become a blockchain developer, it is important that you understand its basic principles and algorithms. Starting with block ciphers and hash functions. We also advise you to learn algorithms Rivest-Shamir-Adleman et Elliptic Curve Digital Signature.
You will therefore certainly no longer have to learn the basics of programming, but a small accelerated specialization in Solidity and Simplicity will prove necessary. The same goes for the basics of blockchain, and the knowledge related to this new universe that we have already mentioned in the first part of this article.
Beyond purely technical programming skills, becoming a blockchain developer also requires understand the socio-economic mechanisms of cryptocurrencies. This knowledge will allow you to understand the motivations behind their development, and how they differ from traditional currencies.
You will also need to familiarize yourself with the specificities of decentralized applications (dApp). Or dig into game theory, currency valuation and monetary policy on different crypto networks.
How to make your professional conversion to the blockchain?
If you already have a developer background, but you want to specialize to become a blockchain developer, your path will obviously not be the same. You can also discuss your project with your current employer, more and more companies are aware of the growing importance of this technology, and the assets that it can represent for them.
In order to best prepare yourself for your future career as a blockchain developer, it may also be relevant to strengthen your skills in areas that will pose particular challenges for you. And especially :
- Security : the blockchain code is open, which makes it more vulnerable.
- Resource management: you must respond to requests from all remote and local users of your blockchain, and what's more, in real time.
- Performances : The coding language should be versatile, as some functions of the code can be executed in parallel, and others cannot. Some languages are suitable for parallel processing, others are not.
- Insulation: every transaction, regardless of the circumstances, must yield the same result, which means it must be deterministic. Same for smart contracts, which implies that you will need to isolate transactions and smart contracts from non-deterministic elements.
Become a blockchain developer by launching your first project
Theory is good, but nothing beats practice. Once you have mastered the fundamentals, you will be able to start creating your first blockchain project. Start by setting a goal, and code alone. Don't be afraid to aim high: this is how you will be able to tackle more complex problems, and how you will progress in your mastery of blockchain technology.
To expand your network, and give visibility to your project (and your profile), consider sharing your code on GitHub.
For those who would like to work on open source projects and receive mini-training, there is the Gitcoin project (GTC). This one is particularly interesting for developers and coders.
Landing your first job as a blockchain developer
A career as a blockchain developer, even in France, can quickly prove very lucrative. The average French salary is around 55.000 euros per year, or more than 4.500 euros per month! For a beginner, it will be around 44.000 euros per year, while for an experienced blockchain developer, it will be around 65.000 euros per year.
The other reason that can motivate you to become a blockchain developer (beyond your personal motivations, and the love of art, of course), is that supply is well below demand. You will therefore normally have no trouble finding job offers and landing your first position.
While it is obviously possible to find them on general jobbing sites, we still advise you to take a look at specialized platforms, such as Cryptocurrency Jobs or, Crypto Jobs List. You can also land your first missions as a developer blockchain freelancer on sites like Paint, Upwork, or FiverrEg.
Moreover, there are many platforms for get paid in bitcoin when you're freelance.
? Read the article: How to get paid in bitcoin? The 6 sites to know for freelancers
But if we can give you one good piece of advice for launching your blockchain career, it’s to take the road less traveled. Or at least the least frequented by your competitors. New projects in the blockchain are almost systematically ultra-present, and hyperactive on networks (like Twitter, Reddit or Discord).
Feel free to share your own creations on these platforms, and interact with the teams projects that inspire you or that you would like to join. It's a good way to make yourself known, to prove your motivation, and therefore to get recruited without your CV being buried in a pile of other applications!
—> Feel free to read the article on “ l5 ways to work in blockchain"
What are you waiting for to become a blockchain developer?
Blockchain development is one of the most exciting and profitable careers to embark on in 2022. If the future prospects are really interesting, they require the development of specific skills, and above all to have a good understanding and a real appetite for the technology itself, and all the applications as well as the philosophy it contains.
In addition to training you in programming, dedicate a good part of your time to understanding the history and evolution of blockchain, to familiarize yourself with (and follow on the networks) its main players. Continue to train yourself gradually (by subscribing to our newsletter, for example).
We sincerely hope that this article has motivated you and given you the right weapons to become a blockchain developer! Good luck in your projects, and hoping to be able to talk about it very soon on ZoneBitcoin !
—-> Read the best books on cryptocurrencies.
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