Big tech is starting to adapt their business models for Web 3.0, sparking a wave of blockchain technology and decentralization. As the space expands, so does the need for tech talent that can thrive in these environments. With that said, you also have to be skilled to survive.
5 Skills You’ll Need as a Web 3.0 Developer in 2023
Whether you’re a senior programmer or a coding newbie, adapting your skills to the Web 3.0 environment will serve you well.
Here are 5 skills you need to be a great Web3 developer.
1. The Fundamentals of Blockchain
When it comes to developing Web 3.0 applications, knowledge of the blockchain is essential. Developers will work with a different programming paradigm when creating blockchain apps, and the lack of a centralized server may trip them up. Solidity is usually the language of choice.
However, Solidity is only found on the back end (more on that later). Front end development will look pretty much the same, so get familiar with HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. Keep in mind that Web 3.0 developers spend a lot of time writing smart contracts that secure crypto transactions.
2. The Solidity Programming Language
Coding bootcamps, like rareskills.io, have cropped up to help coders master Solidity, but why? To start, Solidity is a coding language native to the Ethereum blockchain (but can be used on others). It’s a high-level language similar to Javascript that’s used to make smart contracts.
While other blockchain coding languages exist, Solidity is the most popular, which makes you more hirable if you learn it. Above all else, employers are looking for developers who can write bug-free code. Developers should also aim to write code in the most efficient way possible.
3. Understanding Smart Contract Security
It isn’t easy to protect your privacy in the digital age, but you really can’t afford to mess around on the blockchain. Web 3.0 developers work on applications that deal with user funds. If a smart contract isn’t tested and verified extensively, you risk losing someone’s money irreversibly.
On August 3rd, 2022, thousands of Solana wallets were drained of nearly $8 million that they’ll never get back. It’s believed that it occurred when the system was importing multiple accounts.
Before you’ll be in charge of creating and testing smart contracts, your employers will test your knowledge of encryption, DoS attacks, and function defaults. Brush up on smart contract secure coding best practices, like auditing and pentesting, and develop a security checklist.
4. Knowledge of Web AR/VR Frameworks
The Metaverse and other such AR/VR games are going to become incredibly popular once the technology becomes more affordable to consumers. If you’re already a web developer, you already know AR/VR framework fundamentals, as they work on HTML, CSS, and Javascript.
However, you’ll also need to know Three.js (builds websites with 3D content) and WebXR (allows for AR and VR support), and React.js (JavaScript library that builds sites with less code).
If you want to create mobile games, ARKit is great for iOS, while ARCore is perfect for Android. On the other hand, if you plan to work for a major console or PC gaming studio, you should have a core understanding of Unity or Unreal first. Then, you can move on to AR or VR.
Usually, the platform you choose (i.e., Oculus or HTC Vive) will have its own development software. You can move your completed product onto the blockchain for extra security.
5. Get to Know The Web 3.0 Culture
It’s challenging, maybe even impossible, to create a successful Web 3.0 product if you aren’t familiar with your end user. Most successful Web 3.0 developers are also Web 3.0 users.
If you’re not a current Web3 user, start by thinking about the main features that define this internet era. A semantic web, artificial intelligence, 3D graphics, ubiquity, and connectivity are all vital parts of Web 3.0s DNA, and so are the blockchain, decentralization, and edge computing.
Developers in this space should also aim for interoperability, or the ability to exchange and make use of information from multiple computer systems or software. Web 3.0 users love composability as a concept because it allows them to assemble their own software.
Cover Photo by Ilya Pavlov on Unsplash