What Knowledge Is Required to Become a Web3 Developer？

May 09, 2024

Author: Dapplink

Translation: Wublockchain

Original: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/TOFzUSsxODyR73ayGXl_ig

1. Preface

With the development of Web3 to this day and the rising market value of industry projects, more and more developers are entering this industry. So, as a Web2 developer, how can one break into this industry, and what can one do after entering?

I believe this question is a common concern for most Web2 developers who want to enter Web3.

Today, we will analyze this issue.

After more than 10 years of development, Web3’s infrastructure has matured significantly, extending into many specialized directions. So, as a Web3 developer, what directions can one choose, and what skills are needed for these directions?

2. Specialized Directions for Developers

Below, we’ll look at specialization from the development perspectives of public blockchains, wallets, exchanges, smart contracts, blockchain data processing, front-end development, and operations.

● 💡Public Blockchain Direction

● L1 public blockchain development

● L2 public blockchain development

● 💡AppChain Development

● 💡Consortium Blockchain Direction (this direction is often dismissed within the Web3 community)

● 💡Wallet Direction

● Exchange wallets

● Decentralized wallets

● Hardware wallets

● 💡Exchange Direction

● Centralized exchanges

● Decentralized trading

● 💡Smart Contract Development

● Staking and lending protocols

● Re-staking protocols

● Multi-staking protocols

● NFT

● xxxFi

● 💡Blockchain Data Processing Direction

● Browser development

● Big data processing of blockchain

● 💡Protocol Researchers

● 💡Cryptography Researchers

● 💡Cryptography Engineers

● 💡Web3 Front-End Development

● 💡Web3 Operations

● 💡Developer Relations Engineers

The above is summarized from many years of experience. While not 100% comprehensive, it covers over 90% of the field. Next, we will analyze the knowledge and skills developers need to possess to be competent in each direction.

3. Becoming a Qualified Web3 Developer

The following analysis is solely from a technical perspective, excluding factors like stress tolerance and personal character.

Qualified Public Blockchain Developer

● Project Perspective: In the long term, public blockchain developers must be familiar with the design schemes and source codes of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Cosmos projects. Depending on the era, developers need to be acquainted with the hot projects of that time, such as the currently popular Solana, various Layer2 technologies, data availability layers, and L3 AppChains.

● Public Blockchain Tool Perspective: Public blockchain developers also need to be familiar with various tools that support the public blockchain ecosystem, including the design and development of browsers, bridges, and key management mechanisms.

● Protocol and Algorithm Perspective: P2P network protocols, mainstream cryptographic algorithms, and mainstream consensus algorithms.

● Programming Languages: C/C++, Go, Rust, Solidity, and Node.js.

Qualified Wallet Developer

● Project Perspective: Familiar with the block scanning, transaction rollback, and offline signing logic of wallets for the top 100 public blockchains; cross-chain from L1 to L2 and L2 to L1.

● Protocol and Algorithm Perspective: BIP wallet protocol suite, mainstream cryptographic algorithms.

● Programming Languages: C/C++, Go, Rust, Java, Python, Solidity, Move, etc.

Qualified Exchange Developer

● Project Perspective: Familiar with the design and development of business systems for centralized exchange spot and futures contracts, matching engines, market making strategies, rebate on order flow, and quantitative strategies. Understand the underlying principles and codes of decentralized exchanges like Uniswap, DYDX; in the decentralized exchange sector, proficiency in smart contract development languages and smart contract audits is essential.

● Programming Languages: C/C++, Go, Rust, Java, Python, Solidity, Move, etc.

Qualified Smart Contract Developer

● Project Perspective: Familiar with the principles and source codes of mainstream decentralized exchanges such as Uniswap, DYDX, Sushiswap, and 1inch. Understand the principles and source codes of projects like Compound, Cure, and LSD projects such as Lido. Also, familiar with re-staking protocol Eigenlayer and multi-staking protocol LinkLayer.

● Programming Languages: Proficient in Solidity, Move, Node.js, and other programming languages.

Blockchain Data Processing Direction

● Project Perspective: Familiar with block scanning and transaction processing logic for the top 20 public blockchains, understand the internal transaction parsing methods of EVM chains, and possess experience in designing high-concurrency programs and processing big data.

● Programming Languages: C/C++, Go, Rust, Java, Python, Solidity, Move, etc.

Cryptography Direction

● Algorithms: Public key cryptography, PKI systems, one-way hash functions, digital certificates and signatures, MPC, ZKP, homomorphic encryption, quantum cryptography, etc. Below are some common cryptographic algorithms used in blockchain:

● ECDSA

● Secp256k1

● Secp256r1

● EDDSA

● Ed25519

● HASH

● MD Series

● SHA Series

● Blake Series

● Poseidon

● BLS

● MPC

● ZKP

● Kzg

● Groth16

● Sonic

● Fractal

● Halo2

● SuperSonic

● Marlin

● Plonk

● Programming Languages: C/C++, Rust, Go, Python, Node.js, Solidity.

Web3 Front-End Development Direction

● Project Perspective: Familiar with the business development processes for decentralized wallets, exchanges, staking and lending protocols, and public blockchain support tools.

● Smart Contracts: Knowledgeable in the development, deployment, and upgrade processes of contract code; familiar with commonly used contract audit tools.

● Programming Languages: Proficient in Node.js, React, React Native, Vue, and Uni-App.

Wu Blockchain

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