FA-0697Software Development

Starting with Ethereum Blockchain Development

Solidity contracts and a simple decentralised application

Introduction

Why this course

This three-day course introduces blockchain concepts through Ethereum and a small Solidity project. Participants compile, test, deploy and interact with selected contracts using a prepared local development network and a simple web interface.

The course uses current development tooling and distinguishes local/test-network practice from production deployment. It introduces contract-security review without claiming a short workshop produces audited or production-ready contracts.

Learning outcomes

Explain blockchain transactions, validation and public/private or permissioned/permissionless distinctions.
Describe Ether, gas, the EVM and Ethereum proof-of-stake validators.
Write, compile and test a small Solidity contract.
Deploy and interact with a sample contract on a local or suitable test network.
Use Hardhat, a supported client library and a test wallet to connect a simple interface.
Identify selected contract vulnerabilities and the need for further testing and review.

Prerequisites

Basic understanding of programming concepts (variables, functions, control flow).
Familiarity with JavaScript or similar programming languages.
Basic understanding of web development (HTML, CSS).
Knowledge of asynchronous programming concepts (promises, async/await).

A supported Node.js/npm version and toolchain matching the selected Hardhat release.

Training outline

3 modules

01Day 1 — Blockchain and Ethereum foundations3 topics

What is Blockchain?
- Definition and key characteristics.
- History and evolution of blockchain.
How Blockchain Works
- Concept of decentralized networks.
- Blocks, transactions and consensus: mining in proof-of-work networks versus validators in Ethereum proof of stake
Types of Blockchains
- Public vs. private blockchains.
- Permissioned vs. permissionless blockchains.

Ethereum concepts

Introduction to Ethereum
- What makes Ethereum unique.
- Ether, gas, and Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).
Smart Contracts Basics
- Definition and how they work.
- Use cases of smart contracts.

Development setup

Solidity compiler, Hardhat project and local network, and MetaMask/test-wallet integration.
Use prepared tool versions and test accounts; compare historical Truffle/Ganache workflows with maintained alternatives.

02Day 2 — Solidity and contract deployment2 topics

Solidity Basics
- Syntax and structure of Solidity code.
- Data types, functions, and control structures.
Developing a Smart Contract
- Writing a basic smart contract.
- Compiling and deploying smart contracts.

Deployment and transaction inspection

Deploy through Hardhat to the local development network; inspect receipts, reverted transactions and gas.
Exercise selected contract functions and basic tests before any test-network deployment.

03Day 3 — Client integration, security and a simple DApp4 topics

Use a supported ethers.js or viem integration to call contracts and submit test transactions.
Build a small web interface and distinguish wallet signing from ordinary read-only calls.
Review common vulnerability patterns, access controls and secure development practices.
Integrate and test the bounded DApp; identify limitations and further review required before production.

A programme built around your team.

Share your training goals and requirements.