A Web 3 Roadmap: Solana Smart Contract Development

A Web 3 Roadmap: Solana Smart Contract Development

An autodidact's approach to learning Solana Smart Contract Development.

Introduction

Disclaimer: For positioning yourself with the Solana ecosystem, I suggest you do your own research. (DYOR)

Hey guys!

I'm Kristian, blockchain developer for Ethereum (+L2s) and Solana. I’m slowly specializing with Rust based chains and ecosystems. I aspire to make WAGMI a reality one intentional step at a time.

I believe in abundance and I hope this can help you guys out with finding opportunities to earn as a web 3 developer.

For questions send me a message on my Twitter: twitter.com/k_quirapas

Don’t take my word for it (DYOR), but there’s a rising demand for Solana developers hence now's the best time to become one. However, once again, do your own research on this matter since there are a lot to consider for Solana.

It will be levels more difficult than Ethereum development (have no fear), but I’ve done all that I can to simplify the process for you guys.

Things I suggest you do before you get into this:

  • Learn programming with Python / Javascript
  • Learn Frontend Development with HTML, CSS, JS
  • Learn Smart Contract development with Ethereum and Solidity
  • Learn to connect Solidity Smart Contracts with your frontend

The skills above are optional but highly encouraged, since Solana ecosystem is harder to grasp.

Before you start the path learn the Command Line Interface if you haven’t yet with freeCodeCamp:

youtube.com/watch?v=yz7nYlnXLfE

Solana’s highly dependent on the CLI so it’s important for you to know it well.

Roadmap

Rust Language

For starters. Learn the Rust programming language from the Rust book itself. (Cover to Cover)

doc.rust-lang.org/book (Do the activities as well inside and exercises)

Supplement that with Let’s Get Rusty (Youtube Channel). He goes over the Rust book topics so head over to the videos if you’re overwhelmed with the book.

youtube.com/c/LetsGetRusty

When you reach this point, take your time with Rust. Do projects here and there. Do your own exploration and tinkering. Learning Solana without a decent understanding of Rust is doing things in HARD MODE. So I 100% discourage you from jumping straight. (Be patient. Focus on your own path)

Solana Smart Contract Development (Vanilla)

After some comfort with Rust, it’s time to go over to Solana Smart Contract Development

Head over to the developing section of Solana Docs and read the sections. docs.solana.com/developing/programming-mode..

Next learn how to do things from scratch first before you jump into the Anchor framework with the following:

youtube.com/watch?v=lkLliOjkB2c

And this article by Paul: paulx.dev/blog/2021/01/14/programming-on-so..

Afterwards supplement that by watching this dude’s entire Solana playlist. Bonus: Find my comment in one of his recent videos, he has helped me so much I decided to thank him in one of his recent videos.

youtube.com/c/JoshsDevBox

Solana Smart Contract Development with Anchor

Now it’s time to start the Anchor framework.

Install and learn from the Anchor book itself:

book.anchor-lang.com

Supplement this with these videos since Anchor can be confusing to start with:

youtube.com/watch?v=Kv1_fZIqLs0&t=1299s (Armani the guy himself)

And the other one from a Chainlink workshop:

youtube.com/watch?v=fPsH77ZoXt4&t=2887s

Solana Standards (NFTs, Airdrops, Metadata, Tools, etc.)

For some common standards for Web 3 and tools for Solana development check out Metaplex Docs (NFT Collections, Metadata, etc.) One of the most commons ones to be used are: Candy Machine v2 and Sugar

docs.metaplex.com

Security

As for security learn from Neodyme:

blog.neodyme.io

From Timur’s tweet (Halborn Security)

twitter.com/timurguvenkaya/status/147584365..

And this Twitter thread as well:

twitter.com/0xsanny/status/1508868586890223..

As you can see that’s a lot! Even I am still learning hard from some of these resources so no worries and take your time with your growth.

It’s a tough road but you can do it!