Many programming languages exist today to build applications or programs. Some of these programs include smart contracts running on blockchains.
Blockchains allow for distributed hosting and running decentralized applications (dApps). A smart contract is a program stored on a given blockchain that is executed when certain conditions are met.
Smart contracts can be used for a variety of applications like trading, borrowing, digital identity, and more. Today, we will be looking at some of the top programming languages to write smart contracts. Let’s dive right in!
- Solidity
Solidity is a high-level programming language that was initially designed for writing smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. It has since been applied to other blockchains running the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) as Avalanche, Binance Smart Chain, Fantom, and others. It can also serve in the deployment of decentralized applications(dApps).
Solidity was created with the influence of JavaScript, Python, and C++, so people with familiarity with these languages might recognize some of the aspects of Solidity. It is the oldest and most widely used language for smart contract development and as such, has become a form of standard for developing smart contracts.
Advantages
The advantages of deploying smart contracts with Solidity are numerous. Being the oldest programming language used specifically for smart contracts and due to the popularity of the Ethereum ecosystem, numerous resources and a large community of developers are available to tap into.
Since it was also based on some of the most widely known and adopted programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and C++, it is easy to learn the concept and syntax as well as the transition to Solidity.
Solidity is also Turing complete, meaning it can be used to compute other functions.
Disadvantages
Some important security issues that can exist when building smart contracts with Solidity must ensure that the contract is well designed to avoid problems like reentrancy attacks. Also, being Turing complete means that static analysis performed to identify vulnerabilities can be tricky.
Platforms Supporting Solidity
Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Polkadot, Tron, Avalanche, Uniswap, Binance Smart Chain, Hedera Hashgraph.
- JavaScript
JavaScript is a multi-purpose programming language that is widely adopted. Over time, its popularity in developing smart contracts has been growing. A blockchain that allows you to build smart contracts using JavaScript is Hyperledger Fabric.
JavaScript libraries also exist, such as web3.js, that allow one to interact with an Ethereum node and can be used for smart contracts.
Advantages
Large community due to the popularity of this programming language, which means getting help and resources is easy. This also translates into faster development times.
Disadvantages
Being a dynamically typed language means that potential errors can occur more often at runtime than if it was statically typed. There are also security issues that come with it.
Platforms supporting JavaScript
Ethereum, Polkadot, NEO, Hyperledger Fabric, Solana.
- Rust
Rust is a low-level, multi-paradigm, general-purpose programming language that emphasizes type safety and security. Rust is one of the most beloved programming languages.
Advantages
Building decentralized applications and smart contracts is easy with Rust because it is low-level. It is also type-safe and memory safe, which makes it secure. It is also predictable.
Disadvantages
Since it is a relatively new programming language, it might not have as many resources available as older ones. Rust can also be difficult to learn, including its syntax. Compile times can also be slow.
Platforms Supporting Rust
Bitcoin Cash, Fuel, OpenEthereum, Zero-chain, Libra, Polkadot, Stacks 2.0, Aleo.
- Vyper
Vyper is a pythonic, contract-oriented programming language designed for the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). It was developed to solve issues regarding security in Solidity. It has unique features like global constants and custom global variables.
Advantages
Vyper is a secure programming language, which makes it ideal for smart contracts. It is also easy to read, making it difficult to write misleading code. Other beneficial features include bounds and overflow checking and support of decimal fixed point numbers and signed integers.
Disadvantages
It has a lot of restrictions compared to Solidity. Constants cannot be changed or cannot change state, for example, due to limited support for pure functions. Other restrictions include no inheritance, no recursive or assembly code, etc.
Platforms Supporting Vyper
Uniswap V1, Polkadot, Ethereum
- Go
Formerly known as Golang, it is an open-source programming language usually used to build secure and scalable programs. It is statically typed and compiled. It was designed by engineers at Google.
Advantages
Go is easy to learn and maintain. There are libraries for Go-Ethereum to help you write smart contracts or develop Ethereum nodes.
Disadvantages
Some of the disadvantages cited include slow build times, no object-oriented support, and no dominating framework.
Platforms Supporting Go
Ethereum, HyperLedger Fabrics, Fleta.