What Is the Best Way to Learn Solidity?

Web3 can very well be a difficult concept to explain to most newcomers because there is no single, catch-all definition – which may come across to newcomers as something almost intangible and esoteric discipline.

Everyone you ask, every primer you read, and every tract you catch a snippet of over the internet seems to have a different interpretation of web3 and its most salient qualities, depending on who you ask or what you read.

However, regardless of how you define web3, one thing's for sure: whether you're an enthusiast who's into being at the cutting-edge of financial technology, or more especially, if you're a prospective or current builder in the space – the best way to learn about web3, and often the first step in becoming a web3 developer, is to learn Solidity.

And, the easiest way to master the precepts of this nascent technology as an aspiring developer is by taking the numerous courses, tutorials, and bootcamps – most commonly over the internet, but some also physical – on what is universally seen as its core language: the Solidity programming language, in particular.

The Solidity language, is, after all, the core programming language that developers who wish to create decentralized applications (dapps) write smart contracts and deploy them on the Ethereum blockchain.

That's all there really is to it web3: once a developer knows the ins and outs of Solidity, they can start building out their vision into functional, deployable, and Turing-complete smart contract code.

And whatever it is you wish to accomplish on web3: whether it is to build your own decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol, mint your exclusive non-fungible token (NFT) collection, audit a smart contract, or simply learn Solidity in order to know how your favorite apps work, you'll need a good understanding of Solidity in order to do so.

While some developers were able to learn basic smart contracts and the first principles of web3 development just by studying free resources over the internet or through some videos on YouTube, not all learners are alike. Many full-fledged web3 developers learned Solidity primarily through 1) online courses and 2) bootcamps.

Online Solidity courses can be standalone courses that take you through the basic concepts of Solidity or drill down on a particular topic that a developer might wish to improve their capabilities in. They can also be comprised of a series of courses packed into a Solidity bootcamp, in order to discuss intermediate to advanced Solidity concepts and how to create more complex smart contracts.

But before we delve into the best ways how to learn Solidity, it's important to first understand why learning Solidity is a prerequisite for every aspiring developer planning to make the shift into web3.

Why is learning Solidity important?

Solidity is one of the most important and highly sought-after skills for web3 professionals across the board. And despite the market downturn, that demand isn't projected to diminish anytime soon, because as web3 ecosystems around Ethereum and other Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible blockchains evolve, so does the need for competent Solidity developers to build out the next iteration of the internet.

And if working in the absolute forefront of fintech isn't reason enough for traditional web developers to make the shift to web3, then maybe the above-average compensation and benefits packages and remote work opportunities will.

Best Way to Learn Solidity: Online Courses

Perhaps the best way to make your first steps into learning Solidity – depending on your skill level – without making the expensive financial commitment to taking an expensive bootcamp or diploma course is by taking an online course.

After all, coding bootcamps often require prior experience with a programming language, besides serious dedication to completing the program within the specified timeframe. Online courses, on the other hand, allow aspirants with little to no previous experience to begin their path, at their own time, and pace, and at a significantly lower cost, towards a Solidity career.

Online Solidity courses typically cover a specific, specialized set of fundamental programming skills to be covered within a short timeframe. They can pertain to a vast selection of Solidity topics, from its fundamental coding concepts to more complex topics involving areas such as artificial intelligence and data science, to name a few.

Most online Solidity courses are available taken on a self-paced basis, or they may be interspersed with live virtual classes. Many online Solidity courses use a variety of hybrid learning techniques, from video tutorials, and coding exercises, to group projects involving other peers.

Platforms such as Udemy, Codeacademy, and Coursera are among the most commonly used e-learning platforms and are economical compared to the financial and commitment outlay needed by coding bootcamps. Some, as we will discuss later, are totally free. Online courses, therefore, are an excellent way for aspirants to get their feet wet before committing to a more expensive, longer, and deeper-diving bootcamp.

Online courses also allow students to pursue the specific topics they need to further their professional development without having to retake topics they have already previously studied while offering flexible time commitments and a variety of learning methods for students.

What is the Best Online Solidity Course?

Metacrafters!

Our course has the right mix of video, text and assignments to ensure you really learn.

In addition to that, each cohort has a community of people in similar stages of their learning path - so you can rest assured that you will have the needed support at all times.

Most importantly, Metacrafters has practical assignments that you can leverage when applying for jobs. These projects will show of both your theoretical and practical knowledge. Meaning that you will be an assets to the company right from the day one!

Free Solidity Online Resources

Want to learn the basics of Solidity without forking out the fees for an online course? Check out these online courses and resources that can help you kickstart your experience with learning the Solidity language.

• Solidity documentation. What better way to learn Solidity for free than through its official documentation straight from the Ethereum foundation? The existing documentation on its official website on Solidity is an excellent introduction that every developer should have read at least once. They contain instructions on how to get started with installing Solidity, simple projects to contextualize its logic for learners, and information on the latest updates of the language, with a change log for reference. Moreover, the official Solidity docs contain best practices, notes, cheat sheets, and warnings to keep in mind when using the language in your integrated development environment (IDE) of choice, or the Remix IDE, for starters.
• YouTube. Ah, good old YouTube University – where many Solidity developers took their first steps (and still do to this very day). These YouTube channels discuss the latest on what's happening within web3, besides teaching you a variety of basic to advanced Solidity concepts and everything in between
• Discord Channels. Discord channels are a great way to reach out to both learners and experienced Solidity developers, besides being one of the best ways to connect to builders in the space – and therefore, come across potential job opportunities in the web3 industry. They're also a great way to keep abreast of what's going on in the space.

As mentioned (and sure, we can't really be objective here) just give Metacrafters a try as we it all on one platform.

Solidity Bootcamps?

Ready to take on a longer commitment to Solidity and diving deep into intensive study mode? Then maybe a bootcamp is more appropriate for your goals. Bootcamps are designed to provide you an intensive, structured learning plan to ensure that you gain a comprehensive understanding of essential Solidity concepts in a tailored, specially designed, and logical delivery method.

Solidity bootcamps can anywhere from several days, to weeks, to even months to complete. To contextualize this further, most computer science associates to bachelor degrees require at least a 2 to 4-year commitment, at the barest minimum.

Bootcamps often feature a curriculum enabling students to build their own portfolios as part of the course, enabling them to get a leg up on the hiring process by being able to demonstrate their knowledge with their own creations.

Solidity bootcamps can be held in-person, online, or hybrid "flex" versions that offer a mix of on-campus meetings, virtual sessions, and group work. Self-paced bootcamps, meanwhile, allow students to stick to the structure of a guided Solidity curriculum they can complete at their own pace.

The main drawback is the price and time commitment. Good bootcamps can cost several thousand of dollars and you will have to take several months from your life and dedicate them purely to the bootcamp.

That is not really feasible if you have a job or family responsibilities.

On the other hand Metacrafters cost nothing and you can progress at your own pace.

How long does it take to learn Solidity?

If you've already had previous experience with coding in languages such as JavaScript, C++, and/or Python, you'll most likely find it easy to learn Solidity within weeks to several months of intensive study. However, if you have no experience in programming, it might take you from 6 months to a year. It must be noted that these timeframes are on the average end – each person learns at their own pace.

The final word

Ultimately, there are many ways a learner could pursue an education in Solidity. The demand for web3 developers remains high even as the market undergoes one of its corrections – with all the promise of above-average salaries, exciting professional opportunities, and the opportunity of working from any part of the world.

The best way to learn Solidity is the one that works for your learning style: that is if you prefer to do online courses to ease yourself into the world of web3 and learn at your own pace, or whether you wish to make the financial and time commitment into going for a structured, intensive, curriculum-based bootcamp, there's no shortage of options.

And you know what? There's no better time to start than yesterday.

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