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Solana Development Landscape 2024

Tools, DAOs, and the Growth Trajectory

Mark Damasco
11 min readFeb 25, 2024

Table of Contents:
1. Literature Review
2. Methods
3. The Results
4. Tools, Frameworks, and Languages
5. Developer Communities and Decentralized Autonomous Organization(DAOs):
6. Number of Developers and Developer Growth
7. Relevant Docs and Resources
8. Role of Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAOs) in the Solana Ecosystem:
9. Discussion
10.Final Thoughts

Introduction

Solana, a high-performance blockchain platform, has emerged as a significant force within the cryptocurrency landscape. Famed for its unmatched speed and low transaction costs, Solana has attracted a rapidly expanding community of developers, projects, and users. This article explores the current state of development on the Solana ecosystem, delving into critical developer tools and the role of initiatives like Solana Foundation LamportDAO, Helius, Cubik, Solana Collective, and mtnDAO in strengthening the ecosystem.

Blockchain technology has transformed the way we perceive digital assets, decentralized applications, and secure data management. Solana stands out amongst numerous blockchain solutions due to its innovative Proof-of-History (PoH) Algorithm and its high-performance Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) that is built upon Sealevel, Turbine, and PBFT. Coupled with Proof-of-Stake (PoS) Consensus Mechanism, PoH allows Solana to achieve remarkable scalability and efficiency.

The SVM (that processes transactions and smart contracts on the Solana) network, with its transaction parallelization and just-in-time (JIT) compilation, significantly boosts processing power. Sealevel ensures transaction ordering and validity, while Turbine optimizes block propagation, and PBFT guarantees Byzantine Fault Tolerance. This combination of technologies empowers Solana to handle a high volume of transactions with minimal latency. The network’s growing popularity has resulted in a multitude of projects built on its infrastructure, contributing to the overall development trajectory of the Solana blockchain.

This innovative design facilitates faster consensus, enabling Solana to achieve throughputs of up to 2000–3000 transactions per second. Several groundbreaking projects, such as JupiterExchange, Metaplex, and the DAOs (mentioned above and we will further explore them below), have already demonstrated the potential of building on Solana’s high-performance infrastructure.

Tools, Frameworks, and Languages

Languages

  1. Rust: The primary language for building Solana smart contracts (known as programs). Rust offers the performance and memory safety needed for secure and efficient blockchain development. If you’re new to Rust, expect a steeper learning curve, but the benefits are substantial.
  2. C/C++: Developers with experience in these languages can also create smart contracts on Solana, thanks to its SDKs.
  3. JavaScript/TypeScript: Primarily used for building frontends that interact with Solana programs. Solana Web3.js library provides the necessary functionalities.
  4. Seahorse Lang: a Python-based programming language designed to simplify the development of Solana programs (A.k.a smart contracts).

Frameworks

  1. Anchor: Currently the most popular framework for Solana development. Built with Rust, Anchor streamlines smart contract development, providing pre-built functionalities, abstractions, and tooling that significantly reduce the time and complexity of building on Solana.
  2. Metaplex: Focused primarily on NFT development. Metaplex offers a suite of tools and standards to create, mint, and manage NFTs on Solana.
  3. Neon: A framework enabling developers to “transpile” Solidity (Ethereum’s smart contract language) into a format compatible with Solana’s execution environment (i.e. Solana BPF virtual machine). This aims to make it easier for Ethereum developers to port their projects to Solana or create new dApps that leverage Solana’s speed, scalability, and lower transaction costs.
  4. Solang: A new Solidity compiler that allows writing Solana programs using a syntax similar to Solidity (the programming language used for Ethereum smart contracts). This provides a familiar development experience for Ethereum developers looking to build on Solana.

Tools

  1. Solana SDK: (The core SDK for interacting with Solana; available in various language bindings including Rust, JavaScript, Python, and others)
  2. Solana CLI (Command-Line Interface): These tools allow you to interact with the Solana blockchain, deploy programs, and manage your accounts.
  3. Solana Playground: An online IDE provided by LamportDAO, making it ideal for learning Solana development and experimenting with code without needing a local setup(you can also use VsCode w/ rust extension).
  4. Solana faucets: Tools that dispense or airdrop small amounts of SOL tokens( The tokens received have no real-world value for testing purposes only), usually on the Solana Devnet or Testnet.
  5. Solana Test Validator: Having a local Solana network for testing is incredibly valuable for development speed and iterations.
  6. Solana Labs’ Program Library: Provides useful on-chain programs (like the Token Program) that can act as building blocks for your project.
  7. Solana-labs/Solana: The core Solana blockchain implementation, including consensus mechanisms, runtime, and essential tooling
  8. Solanaj (Java): Solanaj is an API for integrating with Solana blockchain using the Solana RPC API.

Bonus section! simplified step-by-step guide to get you started building on Solana, from building simple smart contracts all the way to deployment interacting with Frontend:

  1. Set up your development environment:
  • Install the Solana CLI tools. This includes essential tools like solana-keygen (for managing wallets) and solana-test-validator (for local testing).
  • Install the Rust programming language.
  • Install Git

2. Create a Solana smart contract (program) :

In VsCode w/ rust extension).Use Cargo (Rust’s package manager) to initialize a new Solana project:

cargo new --lib my_solana_program
cd my_solana_program
cargo install --git https://github.com/project-serum/anchor anchor-cli --locked

3. Define Program Logic: Write your program within the lib.rs file in your project.

Here's a simple "hello world" example:

use anchor_lang::prelude::*;

declare_id!("Fg6PaFpoGXkYsidMpWTK6W2BeZ7FEfcYkg476zPFsLnS"); // Unique program ID

#[program]
pub mod hello_solana {
    pub fn say_hello(ctx: Context<SayHello>) -> Result<()> {
        msg!("Hello, Solana!");
        Ok(())
    }
}

#[derive(Accounts)]
pub struct SayHello {}

4. Compile the Program: Use Anchor to build it:

anchor build

5. Deploy to Local Testnet: Start a local Solana test validator:

solana-test-validator

Deploy your program:

anchor deploy

6. Building a Frontend

JavaScript Framework: Choose a frontend framework like React, Vue, or Angular. React will be our example here.

Project Setup

npx create-react-app my-solana-frontend
cd my-solana-frontend
npm install @solana/web3.js

Frontend Component Example: Create a React component to interact with your program:

import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
import * as web3 from '@solana/web3.js';
import { getPhantomWallet } from '@solana/wallet-adapter-wallets';
import { useWallet, WalletProvider, ConnectionProvider } from '@solana/wallet-adapter-react';
import { WalletModalProvider } from '@solana/wallet-adapter-react-ui';
import './App.css';

const network = "http://127.0.0.1:8899"; // Local Testnet
const connection = new web3.Connection(network);

const App = () => {
    const [value, setValue] = useState('');
    const wallet = useWallet();

    async function callProgram() {
        if (!wallet.connected) return;
        try {
            // Get program ID from Anchor-generated IDL file
            const program = loadWorkspace(); 
            const transaction = new web3.Transaction().add(
                program.instruction.sayHello({
                    accounts: { /* ...accounts for your program */ },
                })
            );

            await wallet.sendTransaction(transaction, connection);
        } catch (err) {
            console.log(err);
        }
    }

    return (
      // ... Frontend Layout and button to trigger callProgram
    ); 
};

Using Solana APIs/RPCs

  • Solana provides various APIs and RPCs (Remote Procedure Calls) that you can use to interact with the blockchain.
  • You can use the Solana web3.js library to access these APIs and RPCs, such as fetching account information, sending transactions, and querying the blockchain state.
  • Refer to the Solana API documentation for more information on the available APIs and RPCs.

Example of using the Solana RPC to fetch the current block height:

const web3 = require("@solana/web3.js");
 
let connection = new web3.Connection(web3.clusterApiUrl("devnet"), "confirmed");
 
let slot = await connection.getSlot();
console.log(slot);
// 93186439
 
let blockTime = await connection.getBlockTime(slot);
console.log(blockTime);
// 1630747045
 
let block = await connection.getBlock(slot);
console.log(block);
 
/*
{
    blockHeight: null,
    blockTime: 1630747045,
    blockhash: 'AsFv1aV5DGip9YJHHqVjrGg6EKk55xuyxn2HeiN9xQyn',
    parentSlot: 93186438,
    previousBlockhash: '11111111111111111111111111111111',
    rewards: [],
    transactions: []
}
*/
 
let slotLeader = await connection.getSlotLeader();
console.log(slotLeader);
//49AqLYbpJYc2DrzGUAH1fhWJy62yxBxpLEkfJwjKy2jr
  • Inspect the Results: Check your wallet or use a Solana block Explorer to monitor how your program changed the blockchain’s state.

For a more detailed Developer’s guide, there are many resources on Solana check them below or click here.

Developer Communities and Decentralized Autonomous Organization(DAOs):

  1. LamportDAO: A decentralized autonomous organization focused on building a suite of developer tools and infrastructure to support the Solana ecosystem. LamportDAO has developed tools like Solana Playground, helping developers learn and experiment with Solana programs.
  2. Metaplex DAO: Though primarily focused on managing the Metaplex NFT standard, it also has a developer focus. They maintain developer tools and documentation, making it easier to build NFT projects on Solana.
  3. Helius — is a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) provider; they specialize in providing high-performance, reliable, and customizable RPC endpoints for developers building on Solana.
  4. Solana Foundation — a non-profit organization based in Switzerland, plays several crucial roles in supporting and furthering the development of the Solana blockchain
  5. Cubik — A DAO focused on building a decentralized platform for creating and managing virtual worlds on the Solana blockchain. Cubik aims to empower developers to create immersive metaverse experiences on Solana.
  6. Solana Collective — Solana Collective is primarily focused on fostering a strong sense of community around the Solana blockchain. They act as a central gathering point for enthusiasts, developers, validators, and projects connected to Solana.
  7. mtndao — A DAO focused on developing tools and infrastructure to support the growth of the Metaverse and Web3 gaming ecosystems on Solana. mtndao has contributed to projects like the Solana Network Browser, enhancing the developer experience on the platform.

Number of Developers and Developer Growth

Throughout 2023, the developer ecosystem has made major advancements in tooling, developer experience, quality of content, and diversity of available programming languages. Today February 2024, the Solana developer ecosystem has over 5000 monthly active developers on open source repositories.

The x-axis represents the months of 2023, and the y-axis represents the number of active developers. Source

The accelerating growth can be attributed to Solana’s innovative technology, strong funding and ecosystem support, and increasing demand for scalable blockchain solutions.

Hackathons, meetups, and conferences like Solana Breakpoint provide opportunities for developers to connect and showcase their projects.

Solana Breakpoint 2023.Source

Relevant Docs and Resources

  • Solana Website: The best starting point, providing a general overview, descriptions of Solana’s technology, and links to other critical resources.
  • Solana Docs: Comprehensive technical documentation including developer guides, tutorials, and references for building on Solana.
  • Solana Blog: Regular updates on network developments, partnerships, and ecosystem news.
  • Solana Status: Real-time and historical data on Solana’s network performance and health.
  • Soldev Course: Dive deep into Solana fundamentals, Dapp development, on-chain program development, Anchor, and security best practices.

Community Resources

  • Solana Discord: A vibrant community for developers, users, and enthusiasts to connect, ask questions, and collaborate.
  • Solana Stack Exchange: A Q&A platform specifically for technical queries and troubleshooting related to the Solana network.
  • Social Media (Twitter, Reddit): Follow Solana’s official accounts along with prominent Solana projects and developers to stay updated on the latest happenings in the ecosystem.
  • Superteam: A global community designed to help the best talent in the Solana ecosystem learn, earn, and build. They focus on connecting skilled developers, creatives, and operators with promising projects.

Additional Resources

Role of Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAOs) in the Solana Ecosystem:

The DAO Prioritize High-performing validators (uptime, block production, participation), Consider Commission rates (balance fees with rewards), Promote Network decentralization (avoid over-concentration of stake),Ensure Geographic diversity (worldwide distribution of voting power), and Manage Risk (reputation, transparency, independent audits).image source

To Illustrate:

1. Decentralized Governance:

  • Project Governance: DAOs allow for community-driven decision-making in Solana-based projects. Members holding governance tokens can vote on proposals related to project development, funding allocation, upgrades, and more. This empowers a wider group of stakeholders to shape the project’s future.
  • Protocol Governance: DAOs can influence the direction of the Solana protocol itself. Holders of Solana’s native token (SOL) or the governance tokens of major protocols built on Solana can contribute to decisions on network upgrades, fee structures, and other essential parameters.

2. Collaborative Investment:

  • Investment Clubs: DAOs serve as investment vehicles where members pool resources to make decisions about how to invest in the Solana ecosystem. This allows for more strategic and diversified investments than individuals might achieve alone.
  • Venture Funding: Investment DAOs can fund promising early-stage Solana projects, providing both capital and community support.

3. Resource Management:

  • Shared Treasuries: DAOs manage on-chain treasuries, controlling how pooled funds are spent. This could involve supporting development, marketing initiatives, providing grants, or even distributing rewards among members.
  • NFT Management: DAOs can hold and manage collections of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), making decisions about how to utilize these digital assets.

4. Social Coordination:

  • Community Building: DAOs provide a framework for like-minded individuals to connect, share ideas, and coordinate efforts within the Solana ecosystem.
  • Grant Funding: DAOs can serve as vehicles to distribute grants for projects, research, or initiatives that benefit the broader Solana community.

Discussion

The results paint a promising picture of Solana’s development ecosystem. The platform’s rapid growth, fueled by its innovative technology and strong ecosystem support, has attracted a diverse and talented pool of developers. Projects like Firedancer, focused on validator performance and reliability, further contribute to a positive developer experience by potentially making Solana a more attractive and stable platform to build on.

Solana’s focus on high throughput, low fees, and scalability make it an ideal platform for supporting the development of DePINs (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks). These networks leverage blockchain technology to incentivize the building of physical infrastructure, creating new economic models and a more decentralized approach to infrastructure development.

While Solana shares similarities with other blockchain platforms in terms of documentation and educational resources, its unique algorithm (incorporating Tower BFT), parallel execution capabilities (Solana Virtual Machine that is built upon Sealevel), and innovations in block propagation (Turbine) and transaction forwarding (Gulf Stream) have fostered a distinct developer experience.

The presence of DAOs like LamportDAO, Helius, Cubik, Solana Collective, and metaDAO has further accelerated this growth by providing funding, resources, and a collaborative environment for developers to thrive. The DAOs mentioned above have played a crucial role in shaping this experience by addressing specific needs and challenges faced by developers in the Solana ecosystem.

The research findings highlight the robust developer tooling, engaged communities, and accelerating growth surrounding the Solana platform. The performance innovations of Firedancer could become integrated into core tooling, streamlining development processes. The accessibility of resources, along with supportive initiatives and the technical advantages of its architecture, have created a welcoming environment for developers of all skill levels. This positive trend aligns with Solana’s wider adoption across segments like decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and the growing DePIN sector.

Final Thoughts

The analysis reveals a thriving and rapidly evolving development ecosystem on the Solana blockchain. The platform’s emphasis on speed, low transaction costs, and scalability make it ideal for emerging use cases like DePINs (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks). This focus, along with cutting-edge innovations like Tower BFT, Solana Virtual Machine (powered by Sealevel), Turbine, and Gulfstream, creates a distinct advantage for building diverse applications on Solana.

The platform’s comprehensive tooling, robust documentation, and supportive community are key drivers of its success in attracting and nurturing a growing number of developers. DAOs like LamportDAO, Helius, Cubik, Solana Collective, and mtdao play a vital role by providing funding, resources, and collaborative opportunities, further fueling innovation within the Solana ecosystem.

The Solana development ecosystem is thriving, with a wealth of tools, educational materials, and a strong support network empowering developers. As Solana continues to mature, its focus on developer experience, community initiatives, and technical advancements will be pivotal in sustaining long-term growth and fueling the creation of groundbreaking applications.

References:

  1. Solana Documentation — https://docs.solana.com/
  2. Solana Developer Resources — https://solana.com/developers
  3. Solana GitHub — https://github.com/solana-labs/solana
  4. Solana Stack Exchange — https://solana.stackexchange.com/
  5. Solana Discord Server — https://discord.com/invite/pquxPsq
  6. https://solana.com/news/2023-state-of-solana-developer-ecosystem
  7. Solana Developer Growth Data — https://solana.com/news/solana-developer-growth-in-2022
  8. https://solana.com/developers/guides
  9. Other sources consulted are duly hyperlinked.

If you have any suggestions contact me on Twitter @Oxmarkdams or @realmarkdamasco. Thank you.

Solana Development
Solana Network
Solana Ecosystem

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Mark Damasco
Mark Damasco

Written by Mark Damasco

25 Followers
26 Following

I write about life, philosophy, economics, physics, etc., turning complex ideas into insights that boost understanding. 👉https://markdamasco.substack.com/

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