The Essential Guide to the Web3 Stack for Developers
Tags: web3, blockchain, career, hiring
Published: 2023-06-27 14:50:00

Web3, an open-source internet where users have ownership of their data and permissionless access to applications without going through intermediaries, is blockchain-powered. Instead of going through centralized intermediaries, decentralized blockchain programs drive peer-to-peer trustless economic networks for exchanging value and information.

The web3 industry continues to grow and mature at an impressive pace, and it's becoming increasingly important for developers to have a solid understanding of the tools and technologies that make up the web3 developer stack. By understanding the key components of the web3 tech stack, developers can build secure, scalable, and resilient applications on top of blockchain protocols.

However, the web3 developer stack can be complex and daunting for those who are new to the space. That's why we've put together this comprehensive guide to help developers get up to speed on the key components of the web3 stack. In this guide, we describe the different components of the Web3 stack to demystify Web3 app development.

## **What is the Web3 Stack for Developers?**

A tech stack, also known as a technology stack, refers to the collection of technologies, tools, and frameworks that developers use to build and deploy software applications. The web3 tech stack is similar to a traditional tech stack but with a few key differences.

In the web3 space, developers work with decentralized technologies and protocols, which require specialized tools and frameworks to build applications. These tools and frameworks used to build decentralized apps are the web3 stacks. The main components of the Web3 tech stack for decentralized applications are:

- Blockchain
- Smart contracts
- Development environment
- User identity management
- UI/UX components

## **Blockchain: The Building Block for Decentralized Applications**

The blockchain is the foundation for the Web3 tech stack. For developers to interact with a blockchain, they have to use an application programming interface (API) that enables their app to query information and broadcast transactions to the blockchain network.

The blockchain has different options for developers to choose from ranging from different programming languages, varying levels of security, contrasting approaches to consensus, and more. These options have different tradeoffs, and it is up to developers to choose the options best suited for them.

The blockchain layer is the operating system for web3 developers and it influences both the design and implementation decisions that developers make when designing Web3 applications built on top of it.

Consequently, the blockchain that serves as the foundation of a Web3 app plays an important role for the adoption and success of any project. Developers and project founders have to think long and hard as regards the blockchain layer they want to build and operate on. Here are some of the options developers can choose from:

### **Building on Bitcoin**

Bitcoin is widely regarded as the most widely adopted and valuable blockchain in existence, and it's gradually expanding to support Web3 applications.

If you're a developer interested in building Web3 apps that leverage the power of Bitcoin, you can use the [Stacks blockchain](https://www.stacks.co/) as a programmable layer on top of Bitcoin. This approach allows you to tap into the nearly $370 billion worth of latent capital that's locked within the Bitcoin ecosystem, while also building on the most secure and decentralized blockchain to date. By building on Bitcoin through Stacks, you can create innovative applications that offer new ways to interact with and utilize this powerful technology.

### **Building on Ethereum**

As the first smart contract platform, Ethereum has emerged as the leading blockchain for decentralized applications, boasting a vast developer community and an even larger user base. Today, a significant number of dApps run on the Ethereum network, and its popularity continues to grow. In fact, many alternative blockchains have emerged that are still compatible with Ethereum and the Ethereum Virtual Machine, including Solana, Avalanche, and Fantom. This interoperability enables developers to build applications that can seamlessly interact across multiple blockchains, making it easier to bridge the gap between different networks and expand the functionality of the Ethereum ecosystem. With Ethereum continuing to drive innovation and shape the future of Web3, it remains a pivotal player in the decentralized technology space.

### **Building on other Blockchains**

While Bitcoin and Ethereum are the most well-known blockchain platforms, there are several other options available for developers looking to build Web3 applications. For example, platforms such as Solana, Cosmos, and Polkadot offer unique features and programming language implementations that enable developers to create innovative decentralized applications. These blockchains support languages like Python, JavaScript, and Rust, among others, allowing developers to leverage their existing skill sets and build powerful Web3 applications.

However, to keep our focus in this article, we will be limiting our exploration of the Web3 stack to Bitcoin and Ethereum, which are currently the largest and most widely adopted blockchains in the space.

## **Build in Web3 Today!**

Building Web3 applications requires a comprehensive understanding of the various components that make up the Web3 stack. From the underlying blockchain technology to smart contracts and user identity management, developers must choose the appropriate tools and frameworks to build secure and efficient applications.

While the Web3 stack is still evolving, it provides a promising vision for the future of the Internet, where users can fully control their data and interact with decentralized applications in a trustless and permissionless environment.

As the Web3 ecosystem continues to grow, developers can expect to see further advancements in the development tools and frameworks available to them. We hope this comprehensive guide has provided valuable insights into the tools, frameworks, and best practices necessary to build Web3 applications, find great [developer jobs](https://kleoverse.com/jobs), and [showcase](https://kleoverse.com/showcases) your projects with [Kleoverse](https://kleoverse.com/).