If you want to become a smart contract developer on Ethereum, then you need to learn Solidity. Whether your goal is DeFi, blockchain gaming, digital collectibles (NFTs), or just web3 in general, Solidity is the foundational language behind the innovative projects on Ethereum.
But where should you start? In this article, we’ll look at 10 great ways you can learn Solidity. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced web2 developer, this guide will help you not only get started with Solidity, but master it. We’ll look at all the best online courses, tutorials, documentation, and communities that can help you on your journey.
First, however, if you’re new to web3, let’s provide some background on Solidity.
Why Learn Solidity?
Solidity is the language for writing smart contracts on the world’s most popular smart contract blockchain, Ethereum. And it’s not just for Ethereum. Multiple other blockchains, such as Avalanche and Binance Smart Chain, and L2s, such as Polygon and Optimism, are powered by Solidity. Learning Solidity not only opens up opportunities for you in Ethereum but also overall in the growing field of blockchain development. It’s a perfect skill to have for web3!
So let’s look at 10 great ways to learn Solidity.
#1 - ConsenSys 10-Minute Ethereum Orientation
For a quick and thorough introduction (especially if you’re new to blockchain and Ethereum), check out the 10-Minute Ethereum Orientation by ConsenSys. This is the perfect starting point to orient yourself with the key terms of web3, the web3 tech stack, and how Solidity works into it all.
ConsenSys is the company behind the most popular technologies of the web3 stack—MetaMask (the leading wallet), Infura (the leading web3 API), Truffle (dev and testing tools for Ethereum smart contracts), Diligence (blockchain security company) and more.
Solidity can be confusing—but these are the tools that make it easy to use. ConsenSys is a well-known source for learning and we’ll get into that more in point six.
#2 - CryptoZombies
Once you complete your intro, check out CryptoZombies. This is the OG resource for learning Solidity. It’s a fun, interactive game that teaches you Solidity through building your own crypto-collectibles game. It’s an excellent starting point for beginners who are interested in developing decentralized applications and smart contracts on Ethereum.
The course provides an easy-to-follow, step-by-step tutorial that guides you through the process of writing Solidity smart contracts. It even has gamification elements to keep you motivated.
And it’s updated regularly. As Solidity adds features, they also add new learning materials. Modules on Oracles and Zero-knowledge Proofs (zk technology) are some recent additions to the curriculum.
#3 - Speedrun Ethereum
Next is Speedrun Ethereum, a series of gamified quests for learning Solidity. These quests cover topics such as NFTs, DeFi, tokens, and more—and it’s a lot of fun! It even covers more advanced Solidity concepts, including higher-order functions and inheritance. This course is great for intermediate-level Solidity learners who are familiar with the basics of Solidity.
#4 - Solidity by Example
Solidity by Example is a free resource that focuses on well-written code samples to teach Solidity. It provides a wide range of these examples, with each example explained in detail.
This is less of a course and more of a resource for learning clean Solidity syntax. Highly recommended.
Code samples vary from some simple to very advanced concepts. A good example—and one you can learn a lot from—is the full UniswapV2 contract.
#5 - Dapp University
If video is more your style, Dapp University is a Youtube channel with over 10 hours of hands-on tutorials. The tutorials are designed for both beginners and experienced Solidity developers.
The tutorials cover topics such as setting up the development environment, writing Solidity smart contracts, and deploying them to the Ethereum blockchain. The content is well-structured and provides easy-to-follow instructions that guide you through the process of building your own decentralized applications.
#6 - ConsenSys Academy
By the same company mentioned in #1, ConsenSys Academy offers several online courses such as, Blockchain Essentials created to kick start your Solidity developer journey.
They also offer the Blockchain Developer Program On-Demand course, where you’ll learn about the underpinnings of blockchain technology and how it all comes together to allow us to build the next generation of web applications. You’ll learn about the types of smart contract code, introduce you to key development tools, and show you all the best practices for smart contract development, all to prepare you for the final project towards the end of the course.
Learners get hands-on experience with tools like Infura and Truffle Ganache, which are some of the most popular and widely used development tools in the Ethereum ecosystem that are focused on making Solidity easy to use. And as a product of ConsenSys, the Developer Program provides a direct link to the ConsenSys ecosystem, with access to some of the best resources and tools in the industry.
#7 - Udemy Ethereum Blockchain Developer Bootcamp With Solidity
This is another bootcamp, but in the form of an extensive Udemy course. It provides learners with up-to-date blockchain development tools, resources, and complete, usable projects to work on. The course is taught by an instructor who is a co-creator of the industry-standard Ethereum certification. This course is also updated frequently to reflect the latest changes in the ecosystem.
#8 - Certified Solidity Developer
Of course, there is always the certification path. Certified Solidity Developer is a certification offered by the Blockchain Council. It’s expensive, but it provides learners with a solid foundation in Solidity and smart contract development—and that piece of paper. The certification is well-recognized and is one of the most highly-rated blockchain developer accreditations. The course also provides learners with a deep understanding of smart contracts, their design patterns, and the various security implications of writing and deploying them on the Ethereum network.
#9 - Official Solidity Documentation
The Solidity documentation should not be underestimated. It’s an essential resource for those learning Solidity. It has the added value of always being up to date with the latest version of Solidity, and it contains detailed information about the Solidity programming language.
The documentation is available in nine different languages, including Chinese, French, Indonesian, Japanese, and others. Undoubtedly, you’ll come back again and again to the Solidity documentation as you learn, so bookmark it now.
#10 - Solidity Communities and Forums
Finally, there are several solidity communities and forums that are excellent resources, such as CryptoDevHub and Solidity Forum. These communities are composed of Solidity experts, developers, and learners at all different levels. Ask questions, share knowledge, and collaborate on Solidity projects. By participating in these communities, you can keep up-to-date with the latest developments, gain insights into how other developers are approaching Solidity development, and make a few friends!
Learning Solidity—Just Get Started!
That’s a great start to your path. Learning Solidity is a valuable investment in your career. With these resources, you should be well on your way to learning Solidity, joining web3, and writing and deploying your first smart contracts.
Of course, the fastest way to learn is to jump right in—so go for it!
Have a really great day!
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