Moving from “Hello, world!” to blockchain isn’t magic ✨ — it’s just learning a few new tools, languages, and mental models.
The real difference is that on Ethereum, your code doesn’t just run on your machine — it runs on a decentralized network and costs real money to execute.
1. Keep Your Existing Skills — They Still Matter
Python 🐍 → Great for scripting, automation, data analysis, and backend logic. You’ll use it to interact with blockchain APIs, run off-chain scripts, or query on-chain data. Libraries like web3.py (Ethereum) or solana-py (Solana) make this easy.
JavaScript 📜 → Your main frontend and scripting tool. Blockchain frontends are just web apps that talk to the blockchain. You’ll use JS/TS + blockchain SDKs (e.g., ethers.js for Ethereum, @solana/web3.js for Solana) to connect your UI to deployed programs or contracts.
2. Learn the Blockchain-Specific Tools
Node.js & npm ⚙️ → You already need these for JavaScript — you’ll now also use them to install blockchain libraries and developer tools.
Local Development Environments 🧪
- Ethereum ecosystem 🟦 → Hardhat or Foundry (compile, deploy, test smart contracts locally and on testnets).
- Solana ecosystem 🟨 → Solana CLI + Anchor framework (build, test, and deploy Solana programs).
Wallets 👛
- Metamask 🦊 for EVM chains (Ethereum, Polygon, Avalanche, etc.)
- Phantom / Solflare 🪄 for Solana
Block Explorers 🔍
- Etherscan for Ethereum and other EVM chains
- Solscan for Solana
3. Learn Your First Smart Contract / Program Language
Solidity 🪙 → The main smart contract language for Ethereum and EVM chains. Syntax is similar to JavaScript, so it’s beginner-friendly if you know JS.
Rust 🦀 → The main language for Solana programs. It’s stricter and more low-level than JS/Python, but learning the basics early will make transitioning easier later.
💡 Tip: You don’t have to learn both at once. Start with one ecosystem (Ethereum or Solana), but keep in mind how the concepts map across chains.
4. Understand What’s Different from Regular Apps
Public by Default 📂 → Variables, functions, and state are visible to anyone.
Transaction Costs ⛽ → Your code runs on a decentralized network; users pay fees (gas on Ethereum, lamports on Solana) for computation and storage.
Testnets Are Your Sandbox 🏖️ → Use Sepolia/Holesky (Ethereum) or Devnet (Solana) to experiment without spending real tokens.
📚 Below, you’ll find all the resources you need to master these topics.