From Web2 to Web3 Developer: The Complete Roadmap
If you have always thought about transitioning to web3, stop thinking and start acting now! image source
Introduction
Everyone is talking about web3, and trust me; incredible money flows in this space. Getting into web3, where the average programmer is paid around $140k per year, is not a bad idea at all. If you have always thought about transitioning to web3, stop thinking and start acting now. Joining this industry is the smartest thing you can do as a developer!
The best moment to shift to Web3 development using your current Web2 expertise is right now. Meanwhile, if you have never been into web development, that is, you have no experience at all coding, you can still carve a niche for yourself in the web3 developers' space.
You just did the most important part- "reading this post."
In a few years, or even sooner, Web3 will dominate most industries. The truth is, the ball is in your court. Before we continue our discussion, you should keep in mind that there are several aspects to Web3 development. Primarily are the backend and the frontend, just like with Web2. But, since smart contracts are a fundamental aspect of dApps, they deserve a separate category.
My mission is to unravel how to become a Web3 developer and the necessary Roadmap. This includes knowing what techniques to use that are simple to understand and what languages to learn for Web3 development.
Keep reading to stay informed!
World Of Web3 (WOW!)
Web3 is said to be a connection between the Ethereum blockchain and your smart contract. Through web3, users can establish businesses, acquire shares, transfer assets, and do so without the aid of a middleman.
Web3 is, undoubtedly one of the most disruptive and groundbreaking technologies of our time.
- Blockchain solves the problem of non-transparency in business transactions of any kind.
- Data creators can now claim ownership of their creations.
"The web3" technology involves an entirely new architecture and definitely needs expertise in the backend, frontend, DevOps, and much more. Unfortunately or fortunately, there is a limited workforce involved in these currently. Therefore, the industry is in dire search of good, committed developers to join the Web3/blockchain field.
A web3 developer, just as the name suggests, develops blockchain-based applications, and their goal is to establish a decentralized society.
This is not a list of skills that must be acquired to be an excellent web3 developer—instead, a list of what any aspiring web3 developer ought to do or have.
1. Learn the fundamentals.
The very first step is to know what you're about to venture into. Learn as much as possible about blockchain technology, and study Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies. Additionally, understand the programming language used to create these virtual currencies. It is crucial that you understand what Blockchain is, how it operates, and why it can affect how payments are processed and exchanged for goods.
2. Learn about dApps
After understanding the Blockchain, the nodes, the consensus, and all the key components of Web3, you should ask; "what can I build in web3? What applications can I build using Blockchain?"
Now you start thinking about dApps. Decentralized applications or DApps are applications built and used on the Blockchain. dApps solve problems in ways like:
In Escrow — dApps can ensure the security of transactions during buying or selling
For Records — dApps is very useful when managing house records, medical records, etc., because once information is posted to the Blockchain, it cannot be changed or removed.
During Payments — Cryptocurrencies are useful for easy and secure payments and transactions. 3.Learn Web development a.k.a, Programming
dApps use a standard JavaScript framework frontend, so it is crucial to understand the fundamentals of frontend development and how the web functions before creating your first DApp. Talking about programming languages, two of the most popular ones which You should get acquainted with are either Solidity and Python. Once you've understood one of these languages, you'll be able to go further.
Also, try adding React after HTML, CSS, and JavaScript if you want to construct decentralized applications. Include a blockchain language like Solidity, Rust, or Reach in your language stack if you want to get started developing smart contracts.
There are a couple of both free and paid courses to learn these coding languages. With a clear goal, using YouTube videos and other free online resources will help you succeed. However, registering for a high-quality course will provide you with a better direction and a more organized path. For:
- Frontend: learn either React, Vue, or Angular
- Backend: learn Rust and Solana or Solidity and Ethereum Some free resources for HTML, CSS, and JS:
- FreeCodeCamp - JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures
- W3 Schools - JavaScript Learning JavaScript gives you a solid foundation when you first start in Web3.
4. Learn about Solidity.
This is a high-level programming language used to build smart contracts that manage transactions on the Blockchain. Solidity is statically typed and supports inheritance, frameworks, and sophisticated user-defined types, among other features.
With Solidity, you can build contracts for voting, crowdsourcing, blind auctions, and multi-signature wallets. Programming languages like Solidity and Rust are quite popular for creating decentralized applications. You can select any of them and use them to create your application.
5. Learn about smart contracts.
A smart contract is simply software that runs on the Ethereum network. It is a set of functions and state-related data that are stored at a particular address on the Ethereum blockchain. Thus, transactions can be sent through the network. However, they are not user operated; instead, they are deployed on the network and run according to a program.
It is not sufficient to simply understand the concept of smart contracts; you should also be able to create them. Here is where learning Solidity comes in.
You can learn to Create Smart Contracts here.
Mind you; you can still be an excellent Web3 developer without knowing how to build smart contracts. But, as you go further into building bigger projects in web3, the need to learn smart contracts will arise.
6. Understand how to Link your dApps front end with either ether.js or web3.js.
Now that you understand how to develop smart contracts, it's time to put your newfound knowledge to use. There are two significant libraries for this; web3.js or ethers.js
The ethers.js library looks to be a whole compact library for interfacing with the Ethereum Blockchain and its ecosystem. It keeps your client's private keys safe and secure. Conversely, web3.js is a group of libraries that let you communicate with an Ethereum node locally or remotely over HTTP, IPC, or WebSocket.
Ethers.js is better than web3.js because it is easier for beginners Helpful resources: Introduction to web3.js Introduction to ether.js
7. Engage with the community.
Find some time to exchange knowledge and expertise, ask questions, or even offer to help others in the Web3 developers' community who are just getting started.
8. Get to the Real Work, build your portfolio, and apply for Jobs.
When looking for a job, having a project portfolio is super advantageous. Build as much as you can, and as you build, Share your works! (very important) Remain consistent; ask for help or mentorship if you need to. Even if the study seems tough, it's only challenging to level up. Success is also the result of persistent hard work.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Web3 Developer?
If you previously had basic knowledge in web development like Javascript, CSS, frameworks, etc., then switching to web3 Development will be pretty easy for you. It may take approximately three months or more, depending on your commitment.
Moreover, if you are in this category, you will only have to learn two main parts to begin Web3 Development, which is Solidity(for Smart Contract) and Web3.js (for linking the smart contracts to your frontend).
If you are much new to Web development in general, then it might take longer, like 6 to 8 months, to learn web3 development.
Conclusion
In this article, you've learned quite so much. "give me some accolades."
You've also discovered the unavoidable Roadmap you should follow on the journey to becoming a Web3 developer. So, do justice with the knowledge you just acquired. You have no excuse not to move on with this career because free courses are at your beck and call.
If transitioning to web3 development is what you want, go for it, and soon, you will turn a "hot cake" in society. Currently, there is great demand for Web3 developers, yet there is a huge shortage of them.
You only need to be resourceful, have a growth mindset, build interest in web3, be smart enough to employ the right tools, and bang! Kindly leave a comment or thumbs up, if you found this helpful.
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