Getting Started with Ethereum Development
๐ Getting Started with Ethereum Development
Ethereum is one of the most popular blockchain platforms for building decentralized applications (dApps) using smart contracts. If you're new to Ethereum development, this guide will walk you through the basics.
๐ง What You’ll Learn
What Ethereum is
Key components of Ethereum development
Tools and languages used
How to build and deploy your first smart contract
๐ What is Ethereum?
Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain that supports smart contracts — programs that run on the blockchain and execute automatically when conditions are met.
Unlike Bitcoin (a currency-only blockchain), Ethereum can run applications like:
Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)
Voting systems
Supply chain trackers
๐ ️ Key Tools for Ethereum Development
Tool Purpose
Solidity Programming language for smart contracts
Remix IDE Online editor for writing and testing contracts
Hardhat Local Ethereum development environment
Ganache Personal blockchain for testing
MetaMask Wallet browser extension to interact with dApps
Ethers.js / Web3.js JavaScript libraries to connect frontend to smart contracts
๐งฑ Basic Components
1. Smart Contract
A self-executing code stored on the Ethereum blockchain. It controls the logic of your app.
2. dApp (Decentralized App)
Frontend (usually in React) + smart contracts that interact with users via a wallet like MetaMask.
๐ป Getting Started: Step-by-Step
✅ Step 1: Install the Required Tools
Install Node.js and npm if not already installed.
Then install Hardhat (for local development):
bash
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npm install --save-dev hardhat
✅ Step 2: Create a New Project
bash
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npx hardhat
Choose "Create a basic sample project", then follow the prompts.
✅ Step 3: Write a Smart Contract (Solidity)
In contracts/Greeter.sol:
solidity
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Edit
// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.0;
contract Greeter {
string public greeting;
constructor(string memory _greeting) {
greeting = _greeting;
}
function setGreeting(string memory _greeting) public {
greeting = _greeting;
}
function greet() public view returns (string memory) {
return greeting;
}
}
✅ Step 4: Compile the Contract
bash
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npx hardhat compile
✅ Step 5: Deploy the Contract Locally
In scripts/deploy.js:
javascript
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async function main() {
const Greeter = await ethers.getContractFactory("Greeter");
const greeter = await Greeter.deploy("Hello, Ethereum!");
await greeter.deployed();
console.log("Greeter deployed to:", greeter.address);
}
main().catch((error) => {
console.error(error);
process.exitCode = 1;
});
Run the script:
bash
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npx hardhat run scripts/deploy.js --network localhost
✅ Step 6: Run a Local Blockchain
In a new terminal:
bash
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npx hardhat node
Then re-run the deploy script with the local network running.
✅ Step 7: Connect with MetaMask
Add a custom RPC in MetaMask (http://127.0.0.1:8545)
Import a private key from Hardhat to use test ETH.
๐ Going Beyond Local: Testnets
Deploy your contract to a public Ethereum testnet like:
Goerli
Sepolia
To do that:
Get test ETH from a faucet.
Configure your Hardhat network settings.
Deploy using:
bash
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npx hardhat run scripts/deploy.js --network goerli
๐ Learning Resources
Solidity Documentation
Hardhat Docs
Ethereum.org
Remix IDE
✅ Conclusion
Getting started with Ethereum development is easier than ever. With tools like Hardhat, Solidity, and MetaMask, you can quickly:
Build smart contracts
Test them locally
Deploy them to real or test networks
Build dApps on top of Ethereum
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