How To Become A Blockchain Developer?

Given that blockchain is all set to drive the fourth revolution, it is no wonder that many are gearing up to become blockchain developers. These aspirants must often have wondered: “How to become a blockchain developer?” Here,we try to find the answers.

The Blockchain Job Market

Given that a very large number of corporates, ranging from big names such as JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs or IBM to companies such as Paragon that put blockchain to unique uses like marijuana delivery tracking; the world now needs more blockchain developers than ever before. The job market has quite a lot of openings for blockchain developers these days, which is why it would be interesting to take a look at the professional requirements of blockchain development.

The Professional Requisites For Becoming A Blockchain Developer

Solid knowledge and skill of software development

All blockchain developers must ideally have a strong knowledge base of computer science and software engineering and understand aspects like algorithms, data structures and programming really well. As a key feature of blockchain technology is the enhanced security it offers, the software engineering skills are paramount in making sure the engineering standards of the technology are in safe hands.

At least a working knowledge of cryptography

The security factor of blockchain tech is largely hinged upon its cryptographic encryption. Making the existing records tamper-proof or the identities anonymous and secure depends a lot on cryptographic safeguards. Hence, a potential blockchain developer should ideally have a minimum working knowledge of cryptography.

Ability to think out of the box

To mould blockchain systems into a wide variety of use cases, it is imperative that a potential blockchain developer has what Madhive (a blockchain advertising company) VP Aaron Brown calls the “hacker mentality” or an ability to think out of the box.

Steps to Become a Blockchain Developer

1.Knowledge: Amassing adequate knowledge with regard to software development and cryptography, and developing an understanding of the market for blockchain technology. For this, a potential developer can follow relevant blockchain-related threads on Reddit and keep an eye out for news about blockchain innovations.

2. Coding Skills: One can learn the basics of blockchain and crypto development from code-schools such as CryptoZombies or SpaceDoggos to polish their software engineering and cryptographic skills. Solidity is a relevant language in blockchain development these days as smart contracts are written with this and code-schools like these can give potential developers a thorough grounding in languages like Solidity, Truffle etc.

3. Understanding key blockchain networks: Developing a familiarity with the Ethereum blockchain network might prove to be an important knowledge to arm oneself with as it has proved to be the more or less ubiquitous platform for ICOs, dApps etc.

4. Practical Experience : Trying to get some practical experience with open source codes of blockchain platforms can serve one well. For example, Bitcoin’s source code is openly and freely available, so potential developers can easily check that out and play around with it.

5. Trial: The internet is full of resources for potential blockchain developers. One such list is curated by CryptoJobs, and using those resources, learning about DLT (distributed ledger technologies) Protocols can be a stepping stone to building one’s first trial blockchain, as only practical knowledge can set the tone for becoming a professional blockchain developer.