Documentation

Getting Started with Blockchain Development

Prerequisites

Before diving into blockchain development, ensure you have the following:

• Basic programming knowledge (JavaScript, Python, or similar)
• Understanding of cryptographic concepts
• Familiarity with web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• Knowledge of command-line interfaces

Development Environment Setup

Set up your blockchain development environment with these essential tools:

1. Node.js and npm

Install Node.js for JavaScript development and package management:

# Download from https://nodejs.org/
# Verify installation
node --version
npm --version

2. Hardhat Development Environment

Hardhat is a development environment for Ethereum that helps you compile, deploy, test, and debug your smart contracts:

npm install --save-dev hardhat
npx hardhat init

3. MetaMask Wallet

Install MetaMask browser extension for wallet management and testnet interaction:

Download from metamask.io

Your First Smart Contract

Let's create a simple "Hello World" smart contract to get started:

// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.0;

contract HelloWorld {
    string public message;
    
    constructor() {
        message = "Hello, Blockchain World!";
    }
    
    function setMessage(string memory newMessage) public {
        message = newMessage;
    }
    
    function getMessage() public view returns (string memory) {
        return message;
    }
}

Deploying to Testnet

Deploy your smart contract to a testnet for testing and validation:

1. Configure Network

// hardhat.config.js
module.exports = {
  networks: {
    sepolia: {
      url: `https://sepolia.infura.io/v3/${INFURA_PROJECT_ID}`,
      accounts: [PRIVATE_KEY]
    }
  }
};

2. Deploy Contract

npx hardhat run scripts/deploy.js --network sepolia

Next Steps

After setting up your development environment:

1. Complete the pre-course foundation lessons
2. Practice with simple smart contracts
3. Explore DeFi protocol development
4. Build your first dApp