In recent years, there has been a considerable demand for the best tools for developing smart contracts. They have aided in the introduction of simpler decentralized network applications as well as business process automation.
One of the distinctive features of blockchain technology is smart contracts. These contracts can make administrative tasks easier to manage.
Smart contracts are blockchain network programs that execute operations based on predefined criteria. Several new smart contract development tools have been developed due to the growing popularity of smart contracts.
This article explores ten exceptional tools every smart contract developer should have in their arsenal. This will help to better understand the tools required for smart contract development.
What is Smart Contract Development?
A smart contract refers to an agreement between two or more parties. This agreement is stored on a blockchain (like EOS or Ethereum). Each of these contracts has a predetermined set of guidelines and requirements that must be met for it to be executed.
The entire blockchain network’s consensus serves as a guarantor for these contracts. They cannot be altered unless the entire network agrees to the modification. As a result, smart contracts are one of the most effective and secure methods for two parties to create and reach an agreement.
Top Tools for Smart Contract Development
Oracles and Libraries
Libraries and Oracle are among the top smart contract development tools. The tools must include the special features required in a smart contract. For example, libraries can assist in the addition of new decentralized applications (dApps), and oracles can assist in obtaining the data required to run smart contracts.
ChainLink is the best blockchain oracle for developing smart contracts because it allows smart contracts to transform into hybrid smart contracts.
The smart contract could be more efficient if it included an off-chain component that was connected to the outside world.
Oracles, which are critical to the architecture of smart contracts and are used by about 50% of them.
On the other hand, all developers must have access to tools for smart contracts, including OpenZeppelin libraries. OpenZeppelin, the default library for the Solidity programming language, has packages for several functionalities. OpenZeppelin packages can be used to install DAOs, NFTs, or upgradeable contracts to equip smart contracts with new functionality.
Remix IDE
This is a reliable debugging and compilation tool for creating smart contracts. It is the best ETH development tool. It is an open-source, JavaScript-based compiler that allows smart contract developers to code directly from their mobile web browser. It also has its own desktop application.
The Remix IDE can be used locally or in the browser to create, test, unravel, and deploy smart contracts. Smart contract developers can easily connect to the ETH blockchain with Metamask while using the Remix IDE.
Truffle Suite
Truffle is one of the top smart contract development tools for creating and deploying Ethereum apps. Simply put, this tool provides a complete ecosystem for the development of dApps. This tool makes it possible to execute code, smart contract compilation, automated tests, projects, migration, and smart contract interaction.
Layer 1 Network
The list of top tools for developing smart contracts would be incomplete without mentioning Layer 1 networks.
Why is a Layer 1 blockchain required for smart contract development?
For instance, to send a transaction across the Ethereum blockchain, it is crucial to have a Layer 1 blockchain that will be used to send the transaction to an ETH node. Metamask and other popular cryptocurrency wallets have background connections to Layer 1 nodes. Some Layer 1 blockchain networks that can be used to develop smart contracts include QuickNode, Infura, and Alchemy.
Alchemy is a popular smart contract development tool in Layer 1 networks. It is a popular choice among developers for ETH and EVM connections due to its engaging and user-friendly UI. Alchemy also has a large selection of responsive Layer 1 networks and excellent customer service.
DAppTools
DAppTools is a compelling Haskell application, despite lacking fancy branding. Smart contract developers do not need to be Haskell experts to use it.
DAppTools is a command-line-focused tool that allows developers to use familiar command-line or shell tools, such as zsh or bash, to aid in development rather than working with Python, JavaScript, or any other high-level programming language.
This significantly reduces the number of technologies that the developer must be familiar with and encourages them to improve their shell scripting.
DAppTools is a collection of tools that include seth, dapp, ethsign, and hevm, each designed to assist developers with a particular aspect of developing smart contracts.
Block Explorer
Block Explorer is also one of the best tools for developing smart contracts. Developers use Block Explorers to monitor transactions and track their progress. Etherscan, a free blockchain explorer, is one of the most popular examples of a Block Explorer for smart contract developers.
It is, without a doubt, the biggest block explorer for the Ethereum community, with a ton of built-in functionalities. Other examples of smart contract tools in this category include Etherchain and Ethplorer.
Etherscan’s competitors are lighter and have created several unique, noteworthy features. Etherscan also works with the Binance Smart Chain and Polygon networks, highlighting its broad scope.
MetaMask
Most people in the crypto space are familiar with MetaMask. Its popularity among regular users has increased significantly in recent years. MetaMask is one of the most popular smart contract platforms used by developers. This is because of its simplicity and ease of use.
The tool provides a token wallet, a key vault, exchange services, and login security, all under one roof. Developers can also connect to the blockchain app and inspect items without jeopardizing their privacy or security.
This blockchain application gateway is also available as a mobile app and a browser extension. So it’s easy to add a valuable tinier addition to a smart contract developer’s computer or mobile browsers, such as Brave, Opera, Firefox, Chrome, and others.
Front-End Development Tools
This tool is only effective if people know how to use it. Front-end development tools are crucial to ensure a flexible and effective smart contract development project. Standard tools such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks such as Angular or React must be included in a developer’s plan.
Front-end development tools assist developers in creating and enhancing new features for their smart contract applications. UseDapp, Drizzle, Web3.js, and Ethers.js are a few examples of front-end development tools that can be used to develop smart contracts. Drizzle is a component of the Truffle Suite that provides a useful selection of front-end technologies. Ethers.js and Web3.js, on the other hand, were developed for the purpose of defining smart contract front-end functionalities.
Security Analysis Tools
Security analysis tools are essential tools for developing smart contracts. Developers must be aware of the necessity for audits before submitting their code to the blockchain network. Security analysis tools help smart contract developers detect the vulnerabilities in their applications before releasing them into production.
Despite the need for prudence on the part of developers, new tools for developing smart contracts have features that can make them safer. Important examples of security analysis tools for smart contract development include Manticore, Slither, and MythX. MythX is a good choice for cloud-based bug testing, and Slither is an excellent static analysis tool.
Ganache (A Robust Command-Line Tool and Personal Blockchain)
The top smart contract development tools list would be incomplete without mentioning Ganache. Ganache, a blockchain tool from the Truffle Suite, has a working process that very few ETH development tools even come close to matching.
Building a private Ethereum blockchain using Ganache gives the smart contract developer complete control over the chain and the ability to run commands and test dApps. This tool can be used to develop, test, and deploy your smart contracts in a secure setting. As a result, developers can easily fix any problem without connecting to a public mainnet or testnet.
In Conclusion,
- The use of smart contracts is one of the most significant revolutionary developments of our time. They have contributed to the introduction of simpler decentralized network applications and business process automation.
- The tools and languages for smart contracts are far more advanced than can be imagined. A great deal of coding expertise is required to create, deploy, and execute smart contracts.
- Those interested in smart contract development can develop their knowledge through professional training. It is important to ensure that the smart contract developers a firm hires, whether they work internally or externally, have a solid understanding of the required programming languages and an in-depth knowledge of other essential tools.
If you would like to read more articles like this, visit DeFi Planet and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
“Take control of your crypto portfolio with MARKETS PRO, DeFi Planet’s suite of analytics tools.”
