Algorand, founded by Turing Award winner Silvio Micali, is a four-year-old decentralised blockchain network that uses a Pure Proof of Stake protocol, the first of its kind. It provides a diverse set of security, scalability, and decentralised applications, solving the blockchain trilemma. The Algorand blockchain is one of the fastest in the world with a 3.3-second block speed with instant finality, the AlgoKit reminds me of this but in a developer’s world of building projects.
So, let’s get into the development side and why there has been a spike of projects choosing to build on Algorand!
The Secret Sauce: AlgoKit. What is it?
Algorand’s native language is called Transaction Execution Approval Language (TEAL) which is an assembly-like language and is processed by the Algorand Virtual Machine (AVM). This Turing-Complete language is used to write smart contracts and smart signatures, in short. The majority of developers find building on assembly languages slow, tedious, and needing a lot of concentration. This is where AlgoKit comes in!
AlgoKit, released in March 2023, is a collection of tools and libraries. It allows anyone to develop, test and deploy Algorand smart contracts faster, smoother, and with ease in minutes. Let’s get into the bullet points of what makes the AlgoKit special.
Algokit Command Line Interface (CLI) Tool
Using the CLI tool a developer can, among other things, create or manage a local network or initialize a new project from a Template.
LocalNet Set Up
The AlgoKit localnet sub-command ($ algokit localnet start) allows a developer to launch a mini Algorand blockchain on their own local machine in a local docker container. This is useful for testing and development. This command replaces the need to install a local node manually or with the Sandbox!
Pre-made Templates
The AlgoKit init sub-command ($ algokit init) allows a developer to instantly initialize a new project from a template. A default set of templates is provided by the AlgoKit CLI tool, but any template can be used by passing the –template-url flag.
Utilities
When you get your workspace up and AlgoKit running (we get into how later) you will be given a bunch of helper templates.
What’s new in AlgoKit 1.3?
The team has been working very hard and actively to keep upgrading the developer’s experience, and launched AlgoKit 1.3, which is an important upgrade.
AlgoKit is now bringing the full back into stack. Fullstack refers to a template that includes react with beaker. They are also releasing a standalone react template with Algorand dependencies packed in, in addition to a full-stack template.
They have enhanced the previous standalone beaker template, which now contains ‘Starter’ and ‘Production’ settings, giving you more options for the type of project you wish to build on Algorand using AlgoKit.
The revolutionary new command “algokit deploy” allows developers to deploy to any network they choose from the command line.
In short, the AlgoKit also doesn’t just clean up existing features for your dApp…
AlgoKit now builds the web front-end for your dApp.
Why is this revolutionary in the tech, web3, and blockchain space?
Well, let’s hear it from the experts in the field themselves. I had the opportunity to ask the Chief Technical Officer of the Algorand Foundation, John Woods. Who has a lot of experience in this particular space. He held the position of Chief Architect for Cardano at IOHK before joining the leadership group. John has worked for a variety of companies, including Informatica and ConsenSys, where he led software architecture and applied cryptography.
“We recognise that developers are what make blockchains like Algorand vibrant and exciting platforms to use. It all starts with developers, their applications make Algorand a buzzing metropolis of activity, from Gaming to DeFi and everything in between. We are dedicated to making it simple, fun and enjoyable for developers of all ability levels to realise their ideas and bring their apps to Algorand. AlgoKit makes it a breeze to build, test and deploy your app today, it’s all you need to make an app for Algorand.”
Algorand is actively aiming to provide a better developer experience, which essentially will enable the creation of decentralised applications (dApps) that will keep users on-chain. I believe it is one of the many reasons why it will endure and remain one of the top options with some other networks. Woods goes on to drop some exciting news regarding the AlgoKit journey.
“AlgoKit 2.0, dropping early next year, will further revolutionise the developer UX on Algorand – watch this space!”
Algorand has more projects moving and starting to be built on it than ever before, strengthening its position as a home for creative and innovative ventures. Now let’s move on to how you can start!
Can anyone start developing on Algorand?
Of course! And now AlgoKit makes it so much more accessible than before to start your blockchain development projects. Whether you have been developing for decades or had a quick notion to try some random coding!
Get started and begin developing on the blockchain in 10 minutes.
Head over to the Algodevs youtube channel, which is run by the official developer relations team at the Algorand Foundation. Click here to be taken to a playlist on how to get your Algorand environment set up from Windows to MacOS.
Windows Prerequisites
The required Prerequisites needed for Windows for Algokit are WSL2, git, docker 4.10+, python 3.10+, and Pipx they also recommend using Visual Studio Code (VSCode) as your workstation to write your code.
MacOS Prerequisites
For macOS the required Prerequisite are similar but not the same, you are required to have git, docker 4.10+, python 3.10, and Pipx. They recommend having Chrome and VSCode.
Don’t worry if have no idea what they are. They go through how to set up your environment step by step, so you won’t get lost in all the jargon!
After that let your imagination run wild and get building! The Algorand dev community is very active, they provide content such as tutorials, shorts and hold beginner & intermediate boot camps. They are also online for what seems like 24/7 on their official discord which you can join here: https://discord.com/invite/algorand
There is news for a huge Algorand Global Hackathon coming in the next few months… Stay Tuned!
My Developer Experience Review: AlgoKit
So, I went into Algorand development with some software development experience which I think is important to note. I already had some AlgoKit Prerequisites downloaded which made my AlgoKit Environment set up more like 5 mins then 10, which to even start developing on a blockchain sounds mad to me!
I have completed the PyTeal beginner series on the algodev youtube channel, currently going through the beaker one, and completed both beginner/intermediate boot camps they hosted recently. So, I have been using the AlgoKit quite a bit and these are my thoughts:
If I could think of a supercar that imitates the AlgoKit it would look like a Ferrari, sound like an electric car, have the speed of a Bugatti, and somehow be able to fly. I’m quite optimistic. In all seriousness, AlgoKit has made it fun for me to start developing on the blockchain. I have tried developing on the blockchain before and it was just so frustrating. This really was a breakthrough in my web3 development career.
Coding is coding, it will be hard if you have no guide unless you are a tech genius with prior coding experience. Don’t give up at the first issue even if it is setting up your development environment. The Algorand dev team doesn’t bite, they are super friendly so don’t be afraid to reach out, they really do mean it when they say they encourage it. No question is a stupid question especially when coding!
My final thoughts are I can’t wait to experiment more with this new upgrade and remember…
