Top Programming Languages to Build Smart Contracts in 2023
Tags: solidity, go, smartcontract, beginners
Published: 2023-07-28 07:31:59

## Introduction
Smart contracts have gained significant traction in recent years as a key component of blockchain technology. These self-executing contracts, encoded with specific conditions and rules, enable automated and trustless transactions. When it comes to programming languages for smart contract development, Solidity emerges as the most popular and widely used language. Let's delve into the details of programming languages for smart contracts, the benefits of Solidity, and the factors to consider when choosing a language for smart contract development.

## Best programming language for smart contract development

Solidity is the primary programming language used for smart contract development on the Ethereum blockchain. It is a statically typed, contract-oriented language specifically designed to write smart contracts. As the de facto language for Ethereum, Solidity offers several benefits for smart contract development:

### 1. Ethereum Compatibility:
Solidity is natively supported by the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), making it ideal for developing smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. It provides direct access to Ethereum's features, libraries, and tooling ecosystem.

### 2. Extensive Developer Community:
Solidity has a vibrant and active developer community, which ensures continuous improvement, support, and readily available resources. Developers can leverage this community to seek guidance, share knowledge, and collaborate on smart contract development projects.

### 3. Security and Auditing:
Solidity incorporates security features and practices to help developers write secure smart contracts. It includes various mechanisms, such as built-in checks and security patterns, to minimize vulnerabilities and prevent common attack vectors like reentrancy and integer overflow.

### 4. Industry Adoption:
Solidity has gained widespread adoption across the blockchain industry, making it easier to find experienced Solidity developers. This availability of skilled developers ensures efficient and reliable smart contract development.

While Solidity dominates the smart contract development landscape, other programming languages can also be used depending on the blockchain platform and its associated virtual machine. Some notable alternatives include:

## Alternative programming languages that also good to consider

### - Vyper:

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ai1dj4x839ki0wz93ku8.png)
Vyper is a Python-inspired language specifically designed for secure smart contract development on the Ethereum platform. It emphasizes simplicity and strict adherence to security principles.

### - Chaincode (Go):

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/nvne7u2cn7lmlixy19v2.png)
Chaincode, also known as "smart contracts" in Hyperledger Fabric, can be written in Go programming language. It is primarily used for private blockchain development, where access control and privacy are crucial.

## Factors that come into play for choosing Smart Contract Development

### 1. Platform Compatibility:
 
Ensure that the language is compatible with the target blockchain platform and its associated virtual machine, as different platforms may have different language requirements.

### 2. Developer Experience:
 
Consider the availability of skilled developers and community support for the chosen language. This helps in finding resources, troubleshooting issues, and fostering collaboration.

### 3. Security Considerations:
 
Evaluate the language's security features and best practices to minimize vulnerabilities and enhance the robustness of smart contracts.

### 4. Performance:
 
Assess the language's efficiency and performance characteristics, especially for complex smart contracts that involve intensive computations or interactions with other contracts.

### 5. Ecosystem and Tooling:
 
Consider the availability of development tools, libraries, and frameworks that can streamline the smart contract development process.

## Conclusion
Solidity stands out as the most popular programming language for smart contract development, particularly on the Ethereum blockchain. It offers compatibility, a supportive community, security features, and widespread industry adoption. However, depending on the platform and requirements, alternative languages like Vyper and Go can also be considered. When choosing a programming language, factors such as platform compatibility, developer experience, security considerations, performance, and ecosystem support should be carefully evaluated. Maticz, a leading **[smart contract development Solution Provider](https://maticz.com/smart-contract-development)**, provides comprehensive services in smart contract development, **[private blockchain development](https://maticz.com/private-blockchain-development)**, and more.