Building with Blockchain: Exploring Web3 Development Tools

The Web3 development space has great tools for new users and tenured developers to easily create smart contracts and tokens. There are a variety of developer tools such as APIs and Development kits that enable builders to learn and create. Most blockchains use common programming languages or have created their own such as solidity which is used to develop on Ethereum.

Blockchain technology is still in its infancy but with the growing number of use cases and adoption, we will see an exponential increase in high-functioning products with Web3 tools. Listed below are well-known web3 development tools used in the industry that have improved interoperability between blockchains and user-friendly tutorials.

Infura (SDK & API)

Infura is a well-trusted Web3 development tooling kit that provides APIs and developer products to kick-start anyone's journey in the space. It provides developing environments, smart contract templates, and various Ethereum plugins. Examples of Web3 products that use Infura are Uniswap, Metamask, Zapper, and Compound Finance. Infura allows you to connect to the Ethereum network without running your own node, making it a convenient option for building decentralized applications. Infura also offers a free plan, which can be a great option for developers who are just starting out.

Many of the largest blockchain projects (wallets, exchanges, and Defi ecosystems) have committed to using Infura, which makes it one of the most trusted Web3 solutions. With the growing demand in use, Uniswap adopted Infura’s API to pull queries on token prices and swap rates without connecting a wallet. This relieved pressure from the Uniswap development team due to the automation of fetching data from various blockchains. 

OpenZeppelin

OpenZeppelin (OZ) is one of the most used blockchain smart contracting libraries that allow developers to test and deploy contracts on various blockchains. OZ also provides auditing and security features that can help avoid reentrancy attacks and other emergency response mechanisms that can pause the functionality of a smart contract. Some of their trusted partners are Brave, The Graph, AAVE, and Coinbase. OZ has created easy-to-learn guides for beginners to learn how to deploy and host smart contracts using their tools. When it comes to smart contracting deployment and education, the OpenZeppelin team has done a phenomenal job providing elite services for blockchain developers around the world. 

Alchemy Ecosystem (SDK & API)

Reading and parsing data is where Web3 developers spend most of their time. Many developers spend time managing the data and it is critical to receive and review up-to-date information on the blockchain a developer is building on. There are various tools provided for developers that are open sources (SDKs and APIs). Alchemy has tools that service the biggest names in Defi, NFTs, wallet providers, and more. Alchemy’s developer tools provide a dashboard to deploy smart contracts, meme pool visuals, request analytics, and usage stats. Alchemy also provides access to real-time data, advanced debugging tools, and a range of developer tools that can help you build and deploy your smart contracts more efficiently. Alchemy also offers a free plan, as well as a range of paid plans with additional features.

Web3Auth (Torus)

Formally known as Torus Wallet, Web3Auth is a non-custodial key infrastructure solution for Web3 apps and wallets. It has sped up the onboarding process by providing simple workflows for platforms to enable easy-to-use login features including Gmail and other platforms. Their mission is to remove barriers and reduce the learning curve for “digital ownership and identity for all users.”

In the crypto space, thousands of users lose seed phrase passwords to their wallets that cannot be recovered. Web3Auth simplifies connecting websites and platforms to Web3 tools such as wallets, Multi-Factor key security, and key management. Web3Auth is trusted by some of the biggest names in crypto such as Binance. In 2019, Binance onboarded Web3Auth for key management for its Finance Extension wallet which services various blockchain networks (Binance Smart Chain, Finance Chain, and Ethereum). 

Web3.js

Web3.js is a JavaScript library that provides a simple way to interact with the Ethereum blockchain. It allows you to write and deploy smart contracts, as well as interact with existing contracts on the network. Web3.js is a popular choice for developers who are building decentralized applications using Ethereum.

EthereumJS

EthereumJS is a collection of libraries that provide a range of tools for building smart contracts. It includes libraries for working with the Ethereum blockchain, as well as tools for building and deploying smart contracts. EthereumJS is a popular choice for developers who want to build decentralized applications using JavaScript.

Truffle

Truffle is a popular web3 development framework for building decentralized applications on the Ethereum blockchain. It provides a range of tools for building and deploying smart contracts, as well as testing and debugging your code. Truffle also integrates with other Ethereum APIs, making it a versatile option for developers.

Overall, there are many different Ethereum APIs to choose from when building smart contracts. Each API has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it's important to choose the one that best fits your needs as a developer. By exploring the options available, you can find the right API to help you build and deploy your smart contracts with confidence.

Links to the API tools:
Infura (SDK & API)
OpenZeppelin
Alchemy Ecosystem (SDK & API)
web3auth (Torus)
Web3.js
EthereumJS
Truffle