Solana vs Ethereum, Chapter 4: An In-Depth Blockchain Comparison
Smart Contracts:
Another aspect that needs to be considered when comparing Solana and Ethereum is smart contracts. Both projects are open-source public blockchains and offer developers the ability to create decentralized applications (dApps). Dapps work as collections of programmed smart contracts. Smart contracts are pieces of code that can automate a specific function. For example, if "x" happens, send "y" to account "z". Again, both projects take different approaches to smart contracts. This includes the use of programming languages, toolkits, and available token standards.
Solana:
One of the best things about Solana is that you don't need any blockchain experience to create an app. Moreover, in the Solana ecosystem, smart contracts are called “programs”. Therefore, developers can use familiar languages such as C and C++ (as well as the less common programming language Rust) to create and deploy dapps on the blockchain. Solana programs will then invariably run through the Solana Sealevel execution protocol. Moreover, developers can use, combine and update existing Solana programs to create powerful, unique tools or applications.
Building something using blockchain can be like building with LEGO bricks. Open source code can be used and improved by anyone. Solana offers developers a dapp creation experience similar to the Web2, web-application design workflow, making it easier to work with various SDKs (software development kits). Accordingly, other programs on the Solana chain can also use the JSON RPC API.
Solana offers two main sets of programs: native programs and the Solana Program Library (SPL). Native programs are Solana's most popular programs, offering fundamental functionality for applications. Some of the native programs include the "system", "bet" and "voting" programs. Additionally, the Solana software library offers more token-specific utilities using the SPL token standard. For example, the token program allows developers to mint, claim, burn, or transfer tokens. Moreover, this includes both combustible (cryptocurrencies) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Ethereum:
Ethereum's co-founder and chief technology officer (CTO), Dr. Gavin Wood, has a significant influence on the adoption of smart contracts today. Since Ethereum was a pioneer of smart contract-compatible blockchains, Wood developed an entirely new programming language, Solidity. Solidity became the first Turing-complete smart contract programming language for blockchain. Wood developed the yellow paper for the smart contract execution protocol, the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This process is critical to the integrity and compatibility of the application on the Ethereum network, identifying any errors in the code.
Initially, the development and deployment of smart contracts and applications on Ethereum were limited to blockchain developers who took the time to learn the new language. However, once the knowledge, application, and usefulness of smart contracts became popular, the need for additional interoperability among coding languages arose. In recent years, many independent developers and projects have focused on making programming on Ethereum as easy as possible. This makes creating and deploying tokens and applications on the world's leading smart contract chain so easy that anyone can do it.
Ethereum's scale, reliability, and reputation are often the deciding factors when choosing a blockchain for many developers. Additionally, there are many tools, guides, and educational materials available to make the process easier. These include, for example, OpenZeppelin, Remix, Truffle Suite and others. There are now various other languages that developers can use to deploy Ethereum applications, such as JavaScript and Vyper.
