Original author:Jonathan King, Connor Dempsey, & Hoolie Tejwani

Original title: "A simple guide to the web3 developer stack》

Original author:

Original title: "

Compilation of the original text: Hu Tao, Chain Catcher

So why are there so few web3 developers today? On the one hand, the tools and infrastructure available to web3 developers are far less robust than web2. This just makes it harder to start building, experimenting and deploying in web3. However, this is all changing rapidly, as the number of monthly active web3 developers hit an all-time high in late 2021. To support this growing contingency, a vibrant ecosystem of teams is working to simplify the entire web3 developer journey, ultimately helping to unlock the next phase of web3 growth and innovation.

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Web3 Developer Stack

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1. Built in Web2 and Web3

2. Software development is the process of building computer programs. A given program consists of three main components:

3. Frontend (what the user interacts with)

Backend (where the user can't see it)

Database (where key data is stored)

The front end where a typical user interacts through a mobile or desktop browser is essentially the same in web2 and web3. A web3 application like Uniswap looks similar to a typical web2 application, as both front ends are mostly created using React - a popular framework for web and mobile application developers.

This is where web2 and web3 differ. The backend framework and database type that make web3's defining feature (user-defined ownership) possible is new and unique.

web2 applications rely heavily on a centralized database, while web3 applications are built on top of a decentralized database (blockchain). This requires a whole new backend and new primitives like wallets.

Let's take a layer-by-layer (non-exhaustive) look at the evolving Web3 developer stack (* indicates a Coinbase Ventures portfolio company).

protocol layer

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protocol layerOptimism*、 ArbitrumThe first decision a web3 developer has to make is which blockchain protocol to base on. Building on Bitcoin is completely different than building on Ethereum, and building on Solana is not the same as building on Ethereum.Hop*For faster, lower-cost applications, developers may wish to base theirSynapse* and other second layer protocols. For applications that need to transfer value from one chain to another, developers will want to take advantage of

* Wait for the cross-chain bridge.

Once these decisions have been made, the developer can begin to put together the building blocks that make the user application possible.

infrastructure primitives

Node infrastructureThe next thing developers need to figure out is how their applications will ultimately interact with the underlying blockchain. This is where infrastructure primitives come into play.Coinbase Cloud、 InfuraNode infrastructureAlchemy- Nodes are where applications interact with the blockchain "happen". They are the computers that read the state of the blockchain and write updates to it once the user interacts with the application.

* andNode infrastructure providers such as * make it easy for developers to set up, manage or access blockchain nodes, saving developers a lot of time and resources.Coinbase WalletWallet and Key ManagementWeb3Auth——Blockchain wallet, such asPine Street Labs* or

identity* Wallet and key management providers such as * enable developers to establish a secure connection between blockchain wallets and user-facing applications.ENSidentitySpruce--pictureLit Protocol* Such a protocol acts as the user's identity in the application.

* Provides frameworks and toolkits that developers can use to validate user credentials to authenticate operations on Ethereum. For example, developers can use the Spruce ID toolkit to authorize users to log into dApps using their ENS accounts. Also, likedecentralized computingAkash NetworkandAleph.im- Computing resources provide the processing power that applications rely on to perform computing tasks. Currently, most network computing is provided by centralized providers such as AWS. Decentralized computing is the shift to community-owned networks where computing resources are distributed in a low-cost, permissionless manner.

andProjects such as , have emerged, providing high-performance peer-to-peer computing resources, optimized for smart contracts and blockchain applications.IPFS、 Arweavedecentralized storageCeramic Network* and

OracleOracleChainlinkorFluxor

Interoperability* Where such an oracle comes in, connects the blockchain to on-chain and off-chain data sources.LayerZeroInteroperabilityAstar Network* Interoperability protocols such as * provide developers with SDKs and APIs to build dApps that are portable and can communicate with different blockchains.

developer tools

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developer toolsFrameworks and IDEsTruffle、 Moralis *、 TatumandThirdWebandFoundryandHardHatWeb3 frameworks like * let developers leverage existing code for smart contract applications, so they don't have to build everything from scratch. They also allow developers to test and deploy applications.

andIntegrated development environments (IDEs) such as IDE combine a common source code editor and build automation and debugging tools into a single, easily accessible interface.Settlemint- These platforms enable rapid design/deployment of user-facing applications entirely through a drag-and-drop interface. picture

Indexing and queryingSuch companies provide developers with NFT smart contract templates to prevent web3 developers from having to reinvent the wheel.Graph Protocol *、 CovalentIndexing and queryingCoherent- Data indexers help people locate and access specific data in the underlying database. In Web2, Google Search is the most popular data indexing service, which allows users to query data stored in online databases with sub-second response times. In Web3, decentralized indexing services are emerging to help dApp developers acquire, process, and query blockchain data.

* and* Both provide APIs for extracting and consuming data from decentralized data storage providers and EVM-compatible blockchains.TenderlyTest, simulate and monitorKurtosis- It is important to test and mock web3 applications before they are released. pictureBlocknative* and

* Such companies provide various tools to simulate smart contracts and transactions, as well as tools to debug any problems.* Provides dashboards and tools for monitoring transactions before they are committed to the chain.OpenZeppelin *、 CertikSecurity and AuditCertora- Given the potential for smart contract exploitation, these platforms allow developers to apply security and auditing best practices to their applications.

* and* Both provide developers with various services, frameworks, and monitoring tools to mitigate potential security risks and vulnerabilities.XMTP LabsmessagingEPNS* and

analyzeCompanies such as Web3 are building secure messaging protocols and decentralized communication networks to drive user engagement and power these notifications in Web3 applications.Dune *、 NansenanalyzeMessari- There are many platforms and services that allow developers to explore, analyze, extract and visualize blockchain data.Flipside Crypto* Provides SDK (Software Development Kit) and API to create and share data insights on various crypto projects.

application support layer

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application support layerSyndicate *、SamudaiThe application support layer ties all the above layers to a specific web3 usage. NFTs, DAOs, DeFi, and games all have their own custom developer solutions.SnapshotNFT-focused tools provide the infrastructure for creating and managing NFT assets. The DAO tool creates for DAO (Utopia Labs*), Governance (Venly *、Joyride *、 Horizon Blockchain Games*)provide the solution. DeFi-focused tools provide APIs that give developers access to various DeFi primitives. Game-focused tools (

*) Provides solutions for creating virtual worlds and blockchain-based games.

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An Evolving Development Stack

The protocols, infrastructure, and developer tools mentioned above make up the nascent but growing web3 developer stack. The modularity and interoperability of web3 means that stacks can be combined in endless ways to create new and interesting applications.