Discover the top 6 resources to learn Blockchain development in 2023.

“Crypto is dead”.

“The Metaverse is gone”.

Ever since the AI boom, no one seems to be talking about Web3 anymore.

But the technology behind it all - Blockchain - is very much here to stay!

While speculative assets may have cooled for now, companies across industries are still rapidly adopting blockchain technology. In fact, the global blockchain market size is predicted to grow from $7.4 billion in 2022 to $ 94.0 billion by 2027!

Why? Because the decentralised, transparent and secure foundations of blockchain are revolutionising everything - from supply chains to creative rights and financial services.

Blockchain development skills are becoming indispensable in this climate.

Whether you want to future-proof your career, drive innovation or build the next killer dApp, now is the time to master blockchain development.

The opportunities are big, with US blockchain engineering roles paying over $150k per year on average!

This article will guide you on that journey with resources for how you can learn Blockchain development today.

But first let’s get some background:

What is Blockchain Development?

Blockchain development refers to building software platforms and applications using blockchain technology.

Blockchain developers design, code, test and maintain the distributed ledgers and smart contracts that underpin blockchain-based systems.

• Explaining the basics of Blockchain technology - a decentralised, transparent database for recording transactions.
• The role of a Blockchain developer - to develop, test and deploy secure decentralised applications and networks.

Why Learn Blockchain Development?

• The blockchain job market is exploding. Major companies like IBM, JPMorgan and Microsoft are ramping up blockchain departments and hiring developers.
• Work on groundbreaking decentralised networks and applications - cryptocurrency exchanges, supply chain platforms, digital rights management and more.
• Lucrative careers with average blockchain developer salaries over $150k per year.

Popular Blockchain Platforms and Their Uses

• Ethereum - Programmable blockchain for decentralised applications in finance, media, healthcare and more.
• Hyperledger Fabric - Private business blockchains for supply chain, manufacturing, banking and other industries.
• Corda - Open-source blockchain for highly regulated industries like finance and insurance.

Programming Languages Used in Blockchain

There are a variety of programming languages that are commonly used to develop blockchain applications and platforms.

Some key languages include:

• Solidity - The most popular language for writing Ethereum smart contracts. Solidity is an object-oriented language designed for implementing smart contracts on EVM blockchains.
• Java - Java is a widely used enterprise programming language. It powers the development of popular blockchain platforms like Hyperledger Fabric and Corda. Java offers stability and cross-platform capabilities for building blockchain networks.
• JavaScript - JavaScript is the scripting language of the web. But with frameworks like Node.js, it’s also useful for developing blockchain-based web interfaces, APIs and tools.
• Go - Created by Google, Go excels at networking/distributed systems - making it ideal for core blockchain protocols. Go is mainly used to build Ethereum clients and Hyperledger Fabric components.
• Rust - The powerful and fast Rust language is being adopted for developing security-critical blockchain elements like wallets, consensus code and cryptography libraries that power leading cryptos.

As you can see there are still many benefits for learning Blockchain, it is an exciting and fun technology to explore.

So let’s take a look at the best 6 resources to learn Blockchain for free in 2023:

#1 - IBM Developer

In "IBM Blockchain 101: Quick-start guide for developers", IBM offers a comprehensive introduction to blockchain technology if you’re interested in building business blockchain networks for demos, pilots, or pre-production staging.

The guide provides a step-by-step approach to creating a blockchain network, utilising the latest open-source Hyperledger Fabric framework.

It explains options for using IBM's next-generation Blockchain Platform to quickly set up a network or for assembling it manually from individual components.

This resource is for those beginning their blockchain development journey and emphasises the fundamental concepts necessary for developing a business-oriented blockchain network.

#2 - Codecademy

The Introduction to Blockchain and Crypto course offered by Codecademy, designed, provides an ideal starting point if you’re curious about the world of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies.

It's a high-level overview aimed at giving you a foundational understanding of key concepts about Blockchain.

By the end of the course, you will be able to define essential terms like Dapps, Smart Contracts, NFTs, and DAOs, and gain insight into the use cases, advantages, and drawbacks of web3 technology.

This course also helps in determining the relevance of web3 technology to your career and in choosing the appropriate web3 tech stack for specific projects or career paths.

#3 - 101 Blockchains

If you're looking to start your journey in Blockchain and Web3, the Blockchain Fundamentals Free Course by 101 Blockchains is an excellent resource for you.

This beginner-friendly course offers you a thorough understanding of the basic concepts and workings of blockchain technology.

You will learn about essential terms such as consensus mechanisms and distributed ledger technology (DLT), as well as the mechanics and benefits of smart contracts.

The course also guides you through the different ways blockchain technology can fuel digital transformation and highlights the industries leading in blockchain adoption.

#4 - Great Learning

In the "Blockchain Basics" course offered by Great Learning, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of blockchain technology and its applications across various industries.

This free certificate course introduces you to the fundamentals of blockchain, differentiating it from traditional databases and highlighting its potential to eliminate intermediaries.

You'll explore blockchain cryptography, essential for transaction security, and explore key components like accounts, blocks, transactions, and Merkle trees. The course also covers consensus mechanisms, particularly Proof of Work and Proof of Stake, ensuring network agreement on the blockchain state.

You'll learn about the workings of blockchain transactions, the different types available, and the role of blockchain in revolutionising industry operations.

The course also addresses the challenges industries face in adopting blockchain and includes real-world examples, practical exercises, case studies, and demonstrations to enhance your understanding.

#5 - Alison

The "Diploma in Blockchain Technology and Applications" course, offered for free on Alison, is an online program designed to teach you the essentials of Blockchain technology and its applications, including cryptocurrencies.

In this course, you will gain an understanding of how to use Blockchain applications securely and efficiently to address both personal and real-world challenges.

The course covers fundamental concepts such as the difference between public and private keys, consensus mechanisms, hashing, and the role of cryptography in Blockchain.

Additionally, you'll learn about the storage of blocks on the Blockchain, mining of cryptocurrencies, execution of Blockchain transactions, and advancements in second and third-generation Blockchain technologies.

There’s also a focus on the Ethereum network and the creation and deployment of smart contracts.

#6 - Simplilearn

Simplilearn's Blockchain Developer course, a free program with a certificate, is for those at a beginner to intermediate level, especially newcomers to blockchain programming.

This course provides hands-on experience and fundamental knowledge essential for developing decentralised blockchain applications.

It covers a broad spectrum of blockchain skills and concepts, starting with an overview of blockchain technology itself.

You'll learn about the Bitcoin Blockchain, Ethereum deployment tools, and the Hyperledger Composer.

The course also goes into the creation and deployment of smart contracts on Ethereum and explores the application of blockchain on Multichain.

Additionally, it explores the future prospects of blockchain technology.

Bonus - YouTube Videos

In the last couple of years there has been a huge influx of courses and tutorials on YouTube dedicated to teaching Blockchain development.

Here are a few of the good ones:

• Learn Blockchain, Solidity, and Full Stack Web3 Development with JavaScript - by freeCodeCamp
• Blockchain Developer Tutorials - by Dapp University
• Learn Solidity, Blockchain Development, & Smart Contracts - by Patrick Collins

And there you have it - the top free resources for learning blockchain development in 2023.

With the massive growth and mainstream adoption of blockchain technology, these skills are becoming highly sought after across industries.

Whether you're looking to future-proof your career, become an innovator in decentralised systems or tap into lucrative opportunities, these courses, tutorials and guides will set you up for success.

Start with the fundamentals - learn what blockchain is, why it matters and the basics of programming languages used. Then dive deeper into building on popular platforms like Ethereum and Hyperledger or specialising in areas like DeFi or NFTs.

The decentralised future is being built as we speak.

With the resources above, you can join and steer the blockchain revolution while growing your skills and career opportunities.

So go keep Web3 alive!

From your fellow ever-growing,

Cherlock Code

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