Solidity is a completely new programming language created by Ethereum, with the purpose of supporting Dapp development.

What is Solidity? Application of Solidity in blockchain

Whether developing a Dapp or any other application, a developer needs to use a programming language to write programs and execute code on the system. Of the current programming languages, Solidity is getting the most attention. Because this is the programming language used to develop Dapps in the Ethereum ecosystem. So if you are interested and want to explore more about Solidity programming language.

What is Solidity?

Solidity is a programming language used to build smart contracts on Ethereum. Solidity eliminates entering codes in units and zeros. This makes it easier for programmers to write programs, using a combination of letters and numbers.

With the support of this programming language, Developers can build everything on the Ethereum platform, from decentralized exchanges (DEX), digital art market (NFT marketplace), financial Decentralized Main (DeFi), Metaverse, etc.

It is known that Solidity programming language is similar to JavaScript – the most popular programming language today. Especially, if Developer understands JavaScript, then Solidity can be easily understood. Besides, Solidity is also considered to have similar characteristics to the C++ and Python programming languages.

Advantages and disadvantages of Solidity

Let’s learn about the advantages and disadvantages of Solidity programming language.

Advantages of Solidity

Solidity provides multi-level inheritance properties in smart contracts. Thereby, it is possible to build reliable, secure and transparent smart contracts. Thus, Solidity not only helps smart contracts reduce costs, but also improves operational efficiency as well as avoids dependence on third parties.
Through the application binary interface (ABI), the Solidity programming language safety features will be enabled. From there, the programmer will easily spot any data mismatch because the ABI will report an error.
Solidity is a friendly programming language that uses cognitive layers from other popular programming languages such as C++, JavaScript, Python, so Developers can easily read and understand this language.
Solidity is increasingly becoming a popular language, providing a lot of open source documentation, helping programmers have resources to reference from other products.

Disadvantages of Solidity

Once the smart contract is executed, the dapps will not be able to upgrade and add other features.
It is not possible to update and collect information quickly from the system on its own (except for transaction activities) because the Ethereum platform uses blockchain technology.
Solidity is still a fledgling programming language, compared to Java and C++. Therefore, developers will not have many documents to study and refer to.

Learn how Solidity works in Ethereum

The Solidity language is neatly designed with a syntax very similar to ECMAScript (Javascript). Solidity will operate in a stack-and-memory model with an instruction word size of 32 bytes. EVM (Ethereum virtual machine) allows access to the program “stack”.

This is almost a register space, with memory addresses attached to create a Program Counter loop (to control the sequence program). Where the temporary “memory” is scalable and the “storage” is permanently written to the blockchain. Most importantly, EVM requires total determinism in smart contracts.

This is an example of a basic smart contract created from the Solidity programming language (code taken from Github).

Part 1: Specifying the value

First, the programmer needs to populate an array called “integers” with 10 8-bit unsigned integers. This is done through a while loop, to find out what is happening inside the while loop.

We have assigned the value “0” to the integer x. The while loop goes from 0 to integers.length. Integers.length is a function that returns the maximum capacity of the array. So if it is decided that an array will have 10 integers, then arrayname.length will return the value 10. In the above loop, the value of x goes from 0-9 (<10) and also assigns the value of itself for arrays of integers. So, at the end of the loop, the integers will have a value of 0.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9.

Part 2: Adding array content

Inside the getSum() function, the programmer adds the contents of the array itself. To do this, the Developer continues to create the while loop as above and uses the “sum” variable to add content to the array.

Part 3: End of contract

This function terminates the contract and sends the remaining amount in the smart contract to the creator of the smart contract.

As we commonly know, Solidity is used to create smart contracts for Dapps on Ethereum. However, this programming language is also used in the following cases:

Used to Mint Fungible and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT)
Decentralized lending market for Fungible Token such as Aave, Compound…
Create NFT exchange market: Opensea, SuperRare…

Should I learn Solidity or not?

The field of IT in general and blockchain Developer in particular is currently one of the hottest industries today, not only in Vietnam but also globally. The balance of supply and demand is skewed, so the income for a blockchain Developer is usually quite high. You can choose to join a technology company or build your own Dapp.

Obviously, Ethereum is still the leading blockchain platform today, for building smart contracts. Therefore, it is not too difficult to understand that Solidity Developer seems to be in the group with the highest demand.

Therefore, if you are an IT person, have a little interest in blockchain, Web3, and want to earn an income of $2,000 – $6,000 or more, then you should absolutely learn this programming language. Because, the Ethereum & EVM chain ecosystem is the largest and most developed in the Crypto space, so the development opportunity will be huge.

How Solidity is used in blockchain

Blockchain is an innovative technology that enables decentralized and secure transactions without the need for intermediaries. Smart contracts are an essential aspect of blockchain technology, and they enable parties to enter into an agreement and execute it automatically, transparently, and securely.

Solidity is one of the most widely used programming languages for writing smart contracts on blockchain platforms such as Ethereum. Solidity is a high-level language that is similar to JavaScript, and it is specifically designed for writing smart contracts that run on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).

Solidity is used to write smart contracts that can be executed on the Ethereum blockchain. These smart contracts are immutable, meaning that once they are deployed on the blockchain, they cannot be modified. Solidity allows developers to define the rules and conditions that govern the execution of the smart contract, such as the terms of an agreement or the rules of a game.

Solidity’s syntax and structure are specifically designed to allow developers to write complex smart contracts that can handle complex logic and workflows. Solidity supports data types such as integers, strings, and arrays, as well as custom data structures, which makes it ideal for writing complex smart contracts.

Smart contracts written in Solidity are compiled into bytecode that can be executed on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). The EVM is a virtual machine that runs on top of the Ethereum blockchain and executes smart contracts according to their predefined rules and conditions.

Solidity is also used to develop decentralized applications (dApps) on the Ethereum blockchain. These dApps can be used to create decentralized marketplaces, social networks, and other decentralized applications that can run autonomously without the need for intermediaries.

Key features of Solidity

Solidity is a high-level programming language that is used to write smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. It is designed to be easy to learn and understand, making it accessible to both novice and experienced developers.

One of the key features of Solidity is its syntax and structure, which are similar to other popular programming languages such as JavaScript and C++. This makes it easy for developers who are familiar with these languages to learn Solidity quickly.

Solidity supports a variety of data types, including integers, strings, and arrays. It also supports custom data structures such as structs and mappings, which allow developers to define more complex data types that are specific to their applications.

Another important feature of Solidity is its support for control structures. Control structures are used to control the flow of execution in a program. Solidity supports common control structures such as if/else statements, while and for loops, and switch statements.

Solidity also supports functions, which are used to encapsulate code and make it easier to reuse. Functions can be defined with parameters and return values, making them flexible and powerful.

One of the most important features of Solidity is its support for smart contract inheritance. Inheritance allows developers to create new smart contracts that inherit the properties and behaviors of existing smart contracts. This makes it easier to reuse code and create more complex smart contracts.

Solidity also includes a number of security features that are designed to prevent attacks and protect smart contracts from malicious actors. These features include built-in checks for integer overflow and underflow, as well as support for secure random number generation and cryptographic hashing.

Finally, Solidity includes support for events, which are used to trigger actions or notifications when specific conditions are met. Events can be used to track the execution of a smart contract and provide transparency and accountability.

Common applications of Solidity in blockchain

Solidity is a versatile programming language that is used in a wide range of applications in the blockchain industry. Its ability to write smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain has led to a number of innovative and exciting use cases.

Creation and management of tokens

One common application of Solidity is the creation and management of tokens. Tokens are digital assets that can represent anything from currency to loyalty points, and Solidity makes it easy to create and manage these tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. Solidity supports the creation of ERC-20 tokens, which are a standard for creating fungible tokens that can be traded on cryptocurrency exchanges.

Development of decentralized applications (dApps)

Another common application of Solidity is the development of decentralized applications (dApps). Solidity provides a way to write smart contracts that can be used to build decentralized marketplaces, social networks, and other applications that can run autonomously without the need for intermediaries. Solidity’s support for inheritance and modular design makes it easy to build complex dApps with reusable components.

Develop voting systems and governance mechanisms

Solidity is also used to develop voting systems and governance mechanisms. By using smart contracts, voting systems can be made more transparent and secure, and results can be automatically tabulated and recorded on the blockchain. Governance mechanisms, such as DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations), can also be developed using Solidity, allowing for decentralized decision-making and management.

Supply chain management

Supply chain management is another area where Solidity is seeing increased use. By using smart contracts, supply chains can be made more efficient and transparent, with each transaction recorded on the blockchain. Solidity can be used to create smart contracts that automatically trigger payments or shipments when certain conditions are met, making supply chain management more streamlined and cost-effective.

Best Practices for Solidity Development

Developing smart contracts with Solidity requires following best practices to ensure that code is secure, efficient, and reliable. The following are some of the best practices for Solidity development:

Prioritize Security

One of the most important best practices for Solidity development is prioritizing security. Smart contracts are immutable once deployed on the blockchain, which means that any vulnerabilities in the code can be exploited by malicious actors. Developers should follow best practices for secure coding, such as input validation, error handling, and avoiding integer overflow and underflow.

Test Code Thoroughly

Another best practice for Solidity development is to test the code thoroughly before deployment. Solidity supports unit testing, which allows developers to test their code in isolation and ensure that it behaves as expected. Integration testing is also important, as it tests the interaction between different parts of the code.

Optimize Gas Usage

Gas usage is an important consideration when developing Solidity smart contracts. Gas is a fee that users pay to execute smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. Developers should aim to minimize gas usage in their code by using efficient algorithms, reducing unnecessary computation, and minimizing storage usage.

Code Optimization

Code optimization is also important for Solidity development. Solidity supports a variety of data types and control structures, and choosing the right ones can make a significant difference in the performance of the code. Developers should also consider using libraries and modular design to reduce code duplication and make the code more maintainable.

Auditing

Finally, auditing is an important part of Solidity development. Auditing involves reviewing the code to identify potential security vulnerabilities and ensure that it follows best practices. Solidity auditors can help identify potential issues and provide recommendations for improving the code.

Is Solidity necessary for blockchain?

Solidity is not absolutely necessary for blockchain, but it is an important and widely used programming language for creating smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain.

Smart contracts are a fundamental part of blockchain technology and enable parties to enter into agreements and execute them automatically and securely without the need for intermediaries. Solidity is specifically designed to write smart contracts that run on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).

While other programming languages such as Vyper and Rust can also be used to write smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain, Solidity remains the most widely used and supported language.

Therefore, while Solidity is not necessary for blockchain per se, it is an important tool for developers who want to build decentralized applications and smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. It provides a way to create complex, autonomous, and transparent applications on the blockchain and has enabled the creation of numerous innovative use cases in various industries.

Is Solidity the best language for blockchain?

Solidity is one of the most widely used programming languages for creating smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain, but it is not necessarily the “best” language for blockchain development in all cases.

The choice of programming language for blockchain development depends on several factors such as the requirements of the project, the platform used, the team’s expertise, and the specific features of the language.

Solidity’s syntax and structure are similar to other popular programming languages such as JavaScript and C++, making it easier for developers who are familiar with these languages to learn Solidity quickly. It also offers rich features for creating complex smart contracts, such as support for data types, control structures, inheritance, and events.

However, Solidity is not without its drawbacks. It is a relatively new language, and its development is still ongoing, which means that it may have some unresolved issues or limitations. Additionally, Solidity’s syntax can sometimes be complex, and its learning curve can be steep for new developers.

Other programming languages such as Vyper, Rust, and Michelson have been developed specifically for blockchain and offer some advantages over Solidity in certain areas, such as security and efficiency.

Therefore, while Solidity is a widely used and popular programming language for blockchain development, it is not necessarily the “best” language for every situation. The choice of language depends on the specific needs and requirements of the project.

Summary

So I have shared details about Solidity programming language and its application in smart contracts as well as blockchain platform. It can be seen that, along with the development of the Ethereum ecosystem and EVM chain, the opportunity for Solidity Developers is quite large. So, if you are an experienced developer in other programming languages or just an IT student, then I think that you should learn this programming language to find more opportunities. better association.