Before we "delve" into anything, I should probably mention that I do not use Rust, and am mostly conversant with Solidity.
However, there are times when the thought of picking up Rust as a second blockchain development language comes to mind, and I wonder what "powers" I may have if I listened to this voice in my head and indeed went for Rust.
And so I have done what any moderately curious person would do. I went digging and found a few things.
In this article, I share the things I have found:
- The use cases of both languages,
- Syntax
- Learning curve
- Background of both
- And the community support for both
Without further ado, here is everything I have learned so far.
Introduction
Smart contract development is a critical aspect of decentralized application (dApp) development. Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, pioneered the concept of smart contracts.
Since then, other blockchain platforms have adopted smart contract functionality including the Near protocol, Solana and Polkadot (which all use Rust as their native smart contract development language).
In essence, Solidity and Rust are two of the most popular programming languages for smart contract development. Others include Vyper, Go and Java (but more of that in a later article).
In this article, I will attempt to compare Solidity and Rust under a few short subtopics and help you decide which language to pick.
Background:
Before diving into the comparison, it is essential to understand the basics of smart contracts.
A smart contract is a self-executing computer program that automatically enforces the rules and conditions of a contract. These programs run on a blockchain network and are almost 100% safe, secure and tamper-proof.
In simple terms, a smart contract is like a digital "if-then" statement. They typically contain a set of rules and conditions that are programmed into the code, and when certain conditions are met, the contract automatically executes its pre-defined actions.
Ethereum was the first blockchain platform to introduce smart contract functionality. Solidity is the primary language used for smart contract development on the Ethereum platform, along with others like Vyper.
Rust, on the other hand, is a relatively new language that is gaining popularity for smart contract development. And as mentioned earlier, it is used mostly in the Near, Polkadot and Solana protocols.
But what do their syntaxes look like?
Syntax:
Syntax is an important consideration when making a choice like this, especially if you're a beginner. Solidity is similar to JavaScript. This means that if you already were familiar with Javascript, you may find it easier to jump on Solidity.
Rust, on the other hand, is a systems programming language that is miles more complex than Solidity.
Consider this example of a simple Solidity contract:
pragma solidity ^0.8.0contract SimpleContract { uint256 public num; constructor(uint256 _num) { num = _num; } function add(uint256 _addNum) public { num += _addNum; }};The first line of the code is the Solidity version pragma, which tells the compiler what version of Solidity to use. In this case, it specifies version 0.8.0.
The second line declares the contract's name. This contract is called "SimpleContract".
The line after that declares a public variable called "num" of type "uint256" (unsigned integer with 256 bits). The "public" keyword means that this variable is readable from outside the contract.
After that, we have the contract's constructor function, which initializes the "num" variable with the value passed in as an argument.
And then, we have the public function called "add", which takes an argument "_addNum" of type "uint256". The function adds the value of "_addNum" to the "num" variable.
So in summary, this Solidity smart contract initializes a public variable "num" with a value passed in as an argument to the constructor function. It also provides a public function "add" that adds a value to "num".
For contrast, here's an example of a Rust smart contract I had translated from the Solidity contract above:
#![no_stduse ink_lang::contract;contract! { struct SimpleContract { num: i32, } impl SimpleContract { #[ink(constructor)] pub fn new(num: i32) -> Self { Self { num } } #[ink(message)] pub fn add(&mut self, add_num: i32) { self.num += add_num; } #[ink(message)] pub fn get_num(&self) -> i32 { self.num } }}]I have no idea how this works, but it's a direct translation of the solidity contract above. Meaning they both do the same thing.
As you can see, the syntax of Rust is more complex than that of Solidity. Rust uses a macro-based syntax to define smart contracts, which may be unfamiliar to developers new to the language.
Security:
Security is a crucial aspect of smart contract development. Smart contracts can contain large amounts of value, making them attractive targets for attackers. A simple mistake or vulnerability in how a smart contract is written can lead to billions of dollars going down the drain.
Yes, security is a big issue.
It may be worth mentioning that Solidity has been around for longer than Rust, and has a more mature security ecosystem. It even contains features like modifiers and events that boost the security and gas-effectiveness of smart contracts.
Rust, on the other hand, is a systems programming language that prioritizes security. Rust's type system prevents common security vulnerabilities like buffer overflows and null pointer dereferences.
So which is the better language in terms of security? Definitely Rust, And I'll tell you why.
Both Solidity and Rust have features that make them suitable for writing secure smart contracts, and both languages have been used successfully for this purpose. However, Rust has some features that give it an advantage in terms of security.
One of the key advantages of Rust is its memory safety guarantees. Rust is designed to prevent common programming errors such as buffer overflows and null pointer dereferences that can lead to security vulnerabilities. Rust's ownership and borrowing model ensures that memory is managed safely and prevents certain types of bugs that can lead to memory corruption and other security issues.
Solidity, on the other hand, is not as strong on memory safety. Solidity is based on C++ and has some of the same memory management challenges as its mother language, including the potential for buffer overflows and other memory-related vulnerabilities.
Another advantage of Rust is its focus on thread safety. Rust is designed to make it easy to write code that is thread-safe, which can help prevent security vulnerabilities such as race conditions and deadlocks that can arise in concurrent programming.
Solidity does not have the same level of focus on thread safety, and writing thread-safe code in Solidity can be more challenging.
Overall, while both Solidity and Rust can be used to write secure smart contracts, Rust's memory safety and thread safety features give it an advantage in terms of security. However, it's worth noting that the security of a smart contract depends on more than just the language it is written in. The security of the underlying blockchain network and the way the smart contract is designed and implemented are also important factors to consider.
Do you see why Rust takes the lead in this category?
Development Environment:
The development environment for smart contract development is also essential. The development environment is an important factor to consider when comparing Solidity and Rust for smart contract development because it can have a significant impact on the productivity and efficiency of developers.
A good development environment can provide tools and features that make it easier to write, test, and deploy smart contracts. This can include features such as syntax highlighting, code completion, debugging, and integration with testing frameworks and deployment tools.
Solidity has a relatively mature development ecosystem, with several popular development environments available, including Remix and Truffle. These tools provide a range of features to help developers write, test, and deploy Solidity smart contracts, and they are widely used in the Ethereum community.
Rust, on the other hand, has a less mature development ecosystem for smart contract development. While there are some tools available, such as the ink! smart contract framework and the cargo-contract tool for deploying contracts, these tools are still in development and may not have the same level of features and support as the Solidity development ecosystem.
In addition, the development environment can also impact the learning curve for developers. If a developer is already familiar with a particular development environment, they may find it easier to learn and work with a language that is supported by that environment. For example, if a developer is already familiar with the Remix development environment, they may find it easier to work with Solidity than with Rust, even if Rust is a better fit for their project.
Overall, the development environment is an important factor to consider, as it can impact the productivity, efficiency, and learning curve for developers.
And as far as this category goes, Solidity takes the lead.
Deployment:
When it comes to ease of smart contract deployment, Solidity and Rust have different strengths and weaknesses.
Solidity has a relatively mature deployment ecosystem, with several popular deployment tools available such as Remix, Truffle, and Hardhat. These tools provide a range of features to make it easier for developers to deploy Solidity smart contracts, such as automated contract testing, contract compilation, and deployment management.
Personally, I'm in love with this aspect.
In addition, Solidity smart contracts can be deployed to multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and Polygon, among others. This allows developers to choose the network that best suits their needs and the needs of their project.
Rust, on the other hand, has a less mature deployment ecosystem for smart contract development. While there are some tools available, such as the ink! smart contract framework and the cargo-contract tool for deploying contracts, these tools are still in development and may not have the same level of features and support as the Solidity deployment ecosystem.
In addition, Rust smart contracts are currently only supported on the Substrate network, which is a blockchain framework for building customized blockchain networks. This means that developers who want to deploy Rust smart contracts may need to invest more time and effort into setting up and configuring their blockchain network.
Overall, Solidity currently has a more mature deployment ecosystem and can be easier to deploy to multiple blockchain networks. Rust's deployment ecosystem is still developing and is currently limited to the Substrate network. Therefore, in terms of ease of deployment, Solidity may be a better choice for most projects.
Community:
The communities surrounding Solidity and Rust are an essential consideration for developers. Solidity has a larger community than Rust, with more resources and tutorials available. Rust's community is growing rapidly, and the language's focus on security and performance makes it attractive to developers.
Learning Curve:
The learning curve is an important consideration when choosing a programming language for smart contract development. Solidity has a low learning curve for developers who are familiar with JavaScript. However, developers new to JavaScript may find Solidity challenging to learn.
Rust has a steeper learning curve than Solidity, as it is a systems programming language that requires a strong understanding of computer science concepts. Rust is not as widely used in the blockchain space as Solidity, so there may be a shortage of Rust experts to consult for help.
Which Should You Pick?
So, which language should you pick? The answer depends on your requirements and preferences. If you're already familiar with JavaScript, Solidity is an excellent choice. Solidity has a well-established ecosystem and is widely used in the blockchain space.
If you prioritize security and performance, Rust may be a better choice. Rust's type system makes it difficult to write vulnerable code, and its focus on performance makes it attractive for complex smart contracts. However, Rust has a steeper learning curve than Solidity, and its ecosystem is still maturing.
Conclusion:
Smart contract development is a critical aspect of dApp development, and choosing the right programming language is essential.
However, while Solidity has a low learning curve, a mature ecosystem, and a focus on security, Rust prioritizes security and performance but has a steeper learning curve and a less mature ecosystem. It is important to consider your requirements and preferences before choosing a language.
But as for me, I've decided I'm sticking with Solidity. For personal reasons.
FAQs
Solidity Versus Rust For Smart Contract Development. Which Should You Pick? ›
Solidity is the popular choice for developing decentralized applications on the Ethereum Virtual Machine or EVM. On the other hand, Rust is the top priority for developers working on dApp projects based on the Solana blockchain.
Which is better Rust or Solidity? ›Solidity is slower than Rust due to its high level of abstraction. In terms of ease of use, Solidity is easier to learn than Rust as its syntax is more straightforward. Rust is more complex and requires more knowledge of programming principles to be able to use it.
Which programming language is best for smart contracts? ›Solidity and Vyper are the two powerhouses in smart contract development today, but there are also a variety of emerging blockchain coding languages.
Which blockchain is best to develop smart contracts? ›Ethereum: Ethereum is the most popular blockchain for smart contracts, with a rich ecosystem of decentralized applications (dapps) and tools for developing, testing, and deploying smart contracts. Ethereum uses a PoW consensus mechanism but is transitioning to a PoS mechanism with the upcoming Ethereum 2.0 upgrade.
Is Rust good for smart contracts? ›Rust is an ideal smart contract language: It is type safe, memory safe, and free of undefined behaviors. It generates small binaries because it doesn't include extra bloat, like a garbage collector, and advanced optimizations and tree shaking remove dead code.
Is Rust harder than Solidity? ›Solidity is slower than Rust due to its high level of abstraction. In terms of ease of use, Solidity is easier to learn than Rust as its syntax is more straightforward. Rust is more complex and requires more knowledge of programming principles to be able to use it.
Is Rust the best language for blockchain? ›It is one of the most popular programming languages suited for blockchain developers. Developers seeking a list of blockchains using the Rust programming language must know that Rust offers the facility for developing secure applications seamlessly.
Should I learn Solidity 2023? ›If you wish to step into the field of Blockchain and develop smart contracts, then you need to get familiar with Solidity programming. Some key reasons to learn Solidity are: Creating smart contracts to program money and move it based on certain conditions being met.
What is the most used smart contract? ›That said, Ethereum is widely considered to be the best general-use smart contract platform. Such a platform can be used for everything from ICOs to facilitating smart contract use with almost any kind of decentralized application.
Is Solidity enough for blockchain? ›Solidity
This is one of the best blockchain programming languages. Gavin Wood proposed Solidity in 2014 and is the clever brain behind its innovation. It is influenced by Java, C ++, and Python and is the best language for smart contracts. Ethereum smart contracts are written in Solidity.
What are the top 5 smart contract blockchains? ›
Over the years in blockchain development, we have worked with many smart contract platforms and examined both their strengths and weaknesses. So now we are well qualified to highlight the top 5 smart contract platforms: Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, Algorand, and Hyperledger Fabric.
What is the fastest growing blockchain? ›- -Solana.
- -Cardano.
- -Avalanche.
- -Polkadot.
- -Polygon.
- -RobotEra.
- Cardano: eco-friendly future blockchain.
- SushiSwap: Community-driven decentralized exchange.
- Ethereum: The OG smart contract platform.
- Solana.
- RobotEra.
- Polygon.
- Polkadot.
- Avalanche.
Learning Curve and Development
Rust's learning curve is high and in order to understand most of the main part of it, one should be familiar with C++ or any object-oriented language. Also, the speed at which the development of code can be done is not as good as some of its peer languages.
Rust Language For Blockchain Coding
Many blockchains (e.g., Ethereum or Bitcoin) use C++ functionality to implement such conditions. Considering the above, creating infrastructure in Rust will be more effective. Here are some examples of blockchain usage: Solana blockchain project development service.
Solana Uses Rust to Pull in Developers and Avoid Copypasta - The New Stack.
Should I learn Solidity or Solana? ›To be a backend developer, you need to know frameworks such as express js, react js, java spring, etc. Let's get straight to the point. Even if you know you want to develop on a blockchain that uses Rust (NEAR, Solana, Elrond, and so forth), you should still learn Solidity first.
Is Solidity still in demand? ›Similar to other tech positions, demand is high, but the number of skilled workers remains low. As of 2022, Solidity is less than a decade old, which is hardly enough time to train the estimated coders the industry needs. Universities and colleges don't even teach Solidity to programmers.
Should I learn Solidity now? ›Solidity, the programming language for writing smart contracts on Ethereum and EVM compatible blockchains, is one of the most important skills for blockchain developers. As the ecosystem around Ethereum and other smart contract platforms grows, so does the demand for Solidity developers.
Which language is best for blockchain development? ›- Solidity. Solidity is the most used and stable Blockchain Programming language recommended by developers worldwide. ...
- Java. ...
- Python. ...
- C++ ...
- Ruby. ...
- Go. ...
- C# ...
- Simplicity.
Which crypto projects use Rust? ›
Polkadot
Polkadot is mentioned in the first entry among blockchains that use the Rust programming language. It is a blockchain ecosystem built on smart contracts that has the benefit of interoperability to support web3 trends.
Solidity's main influences are JavaScript, C++, and Python. If you have a solid (sorry) understanding of those languages, then picking up Solidity is relatively easy. Check out our course catalog for courses on JavaScript, C++, and Python (as well as our new Intro to Blockchain course).
Can I get a job if I learn Solidity? ›There are many ways to get a Solidity job and it might be easier than you think! You have mastered the basics of Solidity, created your first few useful projects and now want to get your hands on some real-world projects. Getting a Solidity developer job might be easier than you think.
How many hours to master Solidity? ›Professionals with experience in programming concepts and coding languages can usually learn Solidity in 1-6 months. If you have no programming experience, it may take longer. Beginners can take advantage of platforms like CryptoZombies or other free online courses to build a foundation for advanced classes.
What is the average salary for a Solidity developer? ›The national average salary for a Solidity Developer is ₹5,00,000 in India.
What is the best smart contract framework? ›- HardHat — The Superstar. ...
- Brownie — Powerful as a Python. ...
- DappTools — Simple setup. ...
- Ethereum Remix — The visual tool for Ethereum smart contract. ...
- Truffle Suite — The OG framework.
- Trading.
- Startup.
- Real estate.
- Education.
- Travel & tourism.
- Agriculture.
- Healthcare.
- Politics.
- Solidity. Solidity is the primary programming language for creating smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. ...
- Vyper. ...
- PolkadotM. ...
- Hedera. ...
- Chainlink. ...
- Brownie. ...
- Smart Chain.
Solidity's major flaw is its infancy (when compared to more mature languages like C or Java). Solidity might be a tough endeavor for newcomers to learn since there are relatively few libraries and references available.
Can I use Solidity for Cardano? ›Alonzo provides Cardano with smart contract capabilities and enhances its functionality by incorporating the Plutus scripts written in a simple, functional language such as Solidity or Haskell and allowing users to place the scripts.
Does Ethereum use Rust? ›
Solidity and Rust are the two main programming languages used by web3 developers to build web3 applications on Ethereum Virtual Machine compatible blockchains and Solana respectively.
What blockchain has the best potential? ›- Metacade (MCADE)
- Ripple (XRP)
- Shiba Inu (SHIB)
- Polygon (MATIC)
- The Sandbox (SAND)
- Polkadot (DOT)
- Solana (SOL)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Ethereum. Introduced in 2013, Ethereum is one of the oldest and most established blockchain platforms. ...
- IBM Blockchain. ...
- Hyperledger Fabric. ...
- Hyperledger Sawtooth. ...
- R3 Corda.
Smart contracts are one of the most popular blockchain use cases, and for many, the term smart contract connotes smart contracts on the blockchain. A smart contract on a blockchain is useful to automate workflows, moving on to the next step as needed.
What is next top blockchain startup? ›The Next Top Blockchain Startup is a virtual hackathon, competition and accelerator program helping spotlight the next wave of blockchain entrepreneurs.
What is the booming crypto 2023? ›DeFi Coin – Popular Pick for the Next Cryptocurrency to Explode in 2023. Cardano – Leading Blockchain Network with Rebound Potential. Ripple – Popular Crypto Project Set to Bounce Back in 2023. ApeCoin – Next Best Crypto with 'Meme Coin' Potential.
What crypto will explode in 2023? ›Ecoterra (ECOTERRA) – Green Crypto Offering High Recycling Rewards. Metropoly (METRO) – Real Estate Altcoin with Real World Utility. RobotEra (TARO) – Rebuild the Metaverse in a Sandbox-Like P2E World. Lucky Block (LBLOCK) – Vast Crypto Casino With Instant Payouts and a Huge Sportsbook.
Who is the No 1 blockchain developer? ›1. LeewayHertz. LeewayHertz is a top-tier blockchain development company with over 15 years of experience building enterprise applications. They specialize in delivering customized blockchain solutions to businesses of all sizes, utilizing their expertise in Hyperledger, EVM, Solidity, Cosmos and Substrate.
What are the fastest growing l1 blockchains? ›Solana is the fastest blockchain in the world and the fastest-growing ecosystem in crypto, with thousands of projects spanning Defi, NFTs, Web3, and more. Solana ensures composability between ecosystem projects by maintaining a single global state as the network scales.
Which blockchain technology is most in demand? ›According to an article by LinkedIn, blockchain engineer skills have the highest demand in 2020. This in turn means, aspiring or existing engineers will develop relevant skills. So, that will enable them to work on blockchain applications. Also, they will get command in technologies and gain knowledge in this area.
Why is Rust not popular? ›
Asked why developers have stopped using Rust, the most common response is that the respondent's company doesn't use it, suggesting an adoption issue. Other common reasons are the learning curve, a lack of necessary libraries, and a lack of integrated development environment (IDE) support.
Is Rust a dying language? ›According to a StackOverflow survey, Rust is considered to be one of the fastest-growing programming languages and has been ranked as the most liked language by its users.
Why do programmers like Rust? ›High performance and safety are the features that made Rust so appealing to scientists that started using it to perform heavy data analysis. Rust is blazingly fast, making it an ideal choice for computational biology and machine learning, where you need to process large amounts of data very quickly.
Should I learn Rust or solidity? ›Solidity is the popular choice for developing decentralized applications on the Ethereum Virtual Machine or EVM. On the other hand, Rust is the top priority for developers working on dApp projects based on the Solana blockchain.
What is the difference between solidity developer and Rust developer? ›Solidity and Rust are two different programming languages that are used for different purposes. Solidity is a high-level programming language used for developing smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. On the other hand, Rust is a low-level programming language used for general-purpose programming.
Is Rust good for AI development? ›Everyone is looking for high-performance, fast, and safe software development, and Rust helps you achieve that! It is a general-purpose programming language that developers love to use for AI development. The syntax of Rust is similar to C++ but the former also offers memory safety and prevents garbage collection.
Does Cardano use Rust? ›Cardano Rust is a modular toolbox of Cardano's cryptographic primitives, a library of wallet functions and a future alternative Cardano node implementation written in Rust.
Is Rust used for smart contracts? ›Rust is the preferred programming language for writing smart contracts on NEAR. Rust offers many features like memory safety, small runtime, etc. This allows us to write a smart contract that doesn't have memory bugs and consumes less storage on the blockchain.
Are Solana smart contracts written in Rust? ›Rust is the most common programming language to write Solana programs with. This quickstart guide will demonstrate how to quickly setup, build, and deploy your first Rust based Solana program to the blockchain.
Should I learn go or Rust for blockchain? ›Since emerging in the same period of time, both languages are considered competitors of each other. Because of its versatility and advanced programming experience, Golang is well-known and quite popular, but on the other hand, Rust is much faster, which makes working in large teams more efficient and cost-effective.
Is Rust the best programming language ever? ›
Rust programming language has gained recognition due to its ability to build high-performance applications. According to Statista, Rust was the 14th most-used programming language in the world in 2022.
Is Rust the best backend language? ›Rust is one of the most popular language for developers due to its open-source, fast, reliable, and high-performance features. When building a new API in Rust, it is important to consider the benefits and drawbacks of web frameworks for both frontend and backend development.
Is Rust worth learning 2023? ›If you are considering learning Rust in 2023, there are endless possibilities for what you can do with it. Whether you are interested in developing operating systems, embedded devices, web applications, cryptocurrency, or data processing, Rust has the tools and features to help you succeed.
Does NASA use Rust language? ›This project will provide Rust language support for NASA's core Flight System (cFS). The Rust language is designed to be memory-safe: it detects a wide range of programmer errors at compile-time while allowing low-level access to hardware and high performance.
What programming language will Rust replace? ›Rust is a new programming language that was designed to be simpler and easier to learn than C++. It doesn't have as many features yet, but it is rapidly gaining popularity. Many developers believe that Rust will eventually replace C++ as the go to programming language.
Is Solidity worth learning 2023? ›If you are interested in web3, then it is definitely worth learning Solidity. The major downside of Solidity, however, is that it isn't currently used outside web3 development. It also has quite a steep learning curve if you don't already know another language such as C++.
Does Cardano use Solidity? ›Alonzo provides Cardano with smart contract capabilities and enhances its functionality by incorporating the Plutus scripts written in a simple, functional language such as Solidity or Haskell and allowing users to place the scripts.
Does Rust have future? ›Rust is going to be used for many different kinds of applications. It's designed to be as flexible as possible, and with that in mind, a programmer should be able to use it for almost any project. Too many programming languages don't do what they say they will do.
What is Rust best suited for? ›Rust is ideal for performance-critical applications because Rust is memory efficient without garbage collection or run time. Rust is Memory and thread safe because of its ownership model and type system.
Is Rust the hardest language to learn? ›Rust is considered difficult to learn by many people. Indeed, when I learned it, I considered it to be the hardest programming language up to that time I've met. And that says something, since I have a habit of learning whatever language I find interesting.