Top Ethereum Development Tools in 2021
Dapps: An Introduction
Dapps are digital applications that run on a blockchain/P2P network and are outside the purview of a single authority.
For instance, Facebook or Twitter are applications that are owned by a single authority. There might be multiple users on the client-side but the backend is owned by a single organization.
AN example of a Dapp is BitTorrent where the application runs on computers that are a part of a P2P network. For instance, if we launch a twitter-like dapp on a blockchain network then once the message is posted, nobody can alter or delete the message.
In the below section, we highlight the top tools which can be used to create dapps on the ethereum blockchain network.
So, What if you are interested to develop your own Dapps?
Ethereum development tools will be your best friends as long as developing dapps or smart contracts is concerned. The development tools come bearing a lot of functionalities that can help you further with your development efforts.
Thus, you cannot simply do the task of coding and deploying your app. You will also need many more tools, like debugging tool, API libraries, test ethereum networks etc.
Tools For Dapp Development
If you have ever wondered, how to enter the developer’s world for building cool dApps or smart contracts. Working on dApps is not as simple as developing a simple mobile app. A person needs a lot of tools like an API, a testnet, a dependable debugging tool, and much more.
The world of cryptocurrency development is changing around the world at a rapid pace. There are new Ethereum tools being developed every day. We bring to you a list of top Ethereum development tools.
Truffle — The Development and Deployment Framework
Truffle is a world-class development environment and testing framework for writing Ethereum smart contracts. It uses the Ethereum Virtual Machine(EVM) for making a developer’s life easier. In easier terms, you could create projects, run your code, test the code using automated tests and interact with the smart contracts using the local test network. The personal blockchain provided by Truffle helps you run your smart contracts and tweak your code to make changes and run them locally. The personal blockchain lives in the local memory and does not interact with ethereum.
Truffle can perform automated tests for both Solidity and Javascript. Thus, if you are well versed with Javascript then truffle can support your development efforts tremendously.
Truffle supports a developer throughout the entire lifetime of the app development whether they are willing to build apps on Ethereum, Quorum, or any other kind of blockchain.
MetaMask — A Token Wallet
Metamask is gaining traction because of its simplicity and easy-to-use interface. It is a software-based, cryptocurrency wallet helping you exchange ethers through a dapp of interest at hand. It also helps you run dapps without being part of the Ethereum blockchain as an Ethereum Node. It lets you connect to Infura (which is another Ethereum Node) and run your dapps. It also allows you to play with fake ethers and developers love it for developing their ethers.
You can use it as a browser augmentation or mobile apps. Most of the users have wallets only on crypto exchanges, which might hint to the user wrongly that blockchain works with a simple username and password. Metamask acts as a token wallet, login security, key vault, and exchange. It is a bridge that allows you to connect to the ethereum blockchain without running a full ethereum node.
Ganache — A Personal Blockchain Network with CLI
Ganache helps you set up a personal initial blockchain for testing your solidity contracts. Ganache helps to mimic the features of a real Ethereum blockchain and also has few addresses with fake ethers. It helps to build and test end-2-end Ethereum based applications securely.
Ganache has two components: Ganache CLI and Ganache UI.
Ganache CLI is the command-line tool for ethereum dapps development. It was originally called TestRPC , which was later acquired by Truffle and renamed Ganache CLI. Ganache UI gives you insights into the working of the personal blockchain which Ganache provides for testing dapps.
Remix IDE — Compiling and Debugging Tool for Beginners
Remix IDE is a javascript-based compiler and editor which helps you code directly from your browser. So, you can code directly in Solidity using your browser. Moreover, it also has a different application for the desktop version. It is a very solid tool in terms of the functionalities it provides.
Remix has a rich collection of plugins and libraries which are called, Remix Plugin Engines and Remix Libs respectively. Remix is also able to debug your code in real-time which is really helpful for beginners.
Final Thoughts
Above we highlighted some of the tools that can help you get started with blockchain development as a beginner. Some more tools which you can explore include the GO CLI, Parity, Ethers.js, Infura, Embar and Drizzle.
Do let us know if you want us to cover the topics above in the comments below.
