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When most people hear the term blockchain, they immediately think of Bitcoin. But the uses of blockchain extend beyond cryptocurrency to industries like real estate and media. Learn how blockchain is used with online courses delivered through edX.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a type of networking and data architecture, which means that blockchain is a specific type of configuration of computers and data. Blockchain refers to a database called a “ledger” that’s distributed between the communication points (nodes) of a network. Blockchain is also known as distributed ledger technology (DLT).Footnote 1
How does blockchain work? Like typical databases, a blockchain ledger stores information electronically in a digital format. Unlike typical databases, which collect data in tables, a blockchain ledger collects data in units with capacity limits. These units are known as blocks. Once the capacity limit of a block is reached, the block is closed and gets linked to the last block to have reached its capacity, creating a chain of blocks known as a blockchain. The process then repeats, growing the blockchain in both chronological and linear order. The entirety of the blockchain is updated on each node in the decentralized network.
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Why learn blockchain?
Examples of blockchain technology can be found in healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, cryptocurrency, retail, energy production, artificial intelligence, and more. In these areas, blockchain technology provides transparency, security, and efficiency to systems where a lot of data needs to be stored, processed, and tracked.Footnote 2 As various industry insiders learn blockchain basics, examples of why blockchain is important have become more numerous, leading to blockchain developer jobs.
Blockchain course curriculum
Why blockchain is the future becomes readily apparent when seeing blockchain’s many applications. However, curricula for blockchain online courses vary based on whether or not the goal is to learn about blockchain or to learn about blockchain programming.
A blockchain course for beginners will cover blockchain basics like how blockchain works and applications of blockchain. It's likely that learners will also study cryptocurrencies, identify problems that can be solved using blockchain technology developed by organizations like Hyperledger.
The Hyperledger Foundation is an open source community dedicated to creating enterprise-grade blockchain technology.Footnote 3In programming, a platform is the software and/or hardware that serve as the foundation for application development (how the hardware and/or software are configured is known as the environment).Footnote 4 Enterprise-grade blockchain platforms are suitable for professional or academic uses (as opposed to consumer-grade blockchain technology, which is for personal use).Footnote 5
Online blockchain courses are one option for students who want to learn blockchain programming. Online blockchain tutorials can also help learners meet the requirements for blockchain developer jobs.
Students in a blockchain developer course will likely have to know a few programming languages such as Java or JavaScript. Students may also learn a programming language specifically designed for blockchain development, such as Solidity, which is made to be used on the Ethereum platform. A blockchain development course may also include an overview of various blockchain platforms such as Ethereum, Corda, and Ripple. Alternatively, a block blockchain development tutorial may focus on the study of a singular blockchain platform and the specific programming language used for development on that platform.
Blockchain developer jobs
A career in blockchain technology may begin after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in computer science, data science, or other relevant field. A coding, data science, or financial technology boot camp can also prepare learners for the field. Such programs provide a foundational knowledge with a focus on the languages needed for blockchain programming. Learners may earn a blockchain certificate by taking online blockchain training courses.
Blockchain developer jobs entail researching, designing, developing, implementing, and testing blockchain solutions for real world problems.Footnote 6 Depending on the size of the company, a blockchain developer may handle multiple responsibilities or work as part of a team of blockchain developers.
Blockchain developer jobs can be worked remotely or in the office, for companies large and small, or even independently. Blockchain developer salary is likely to vary based on the location of the position, employee experience, and the size of the company.
How to become a blockchain developer online
Both a bachelor's degree program focused on computer science and a master's in data science can be a route to a career in blockchain technology. Afintech boot campcan also be a way to learn about blockchain programming.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a blockchain developer do?
A blockchain developer is a programmer who develops applications of blockchain technology. These professionals research, design, develop, implement, and test blockchain applications. A blockchain developer may come up with their own ideas or work with others as part of a team.
Do blockchain developer jobs require coding?
Blockchain developers jobs involve coding, which means knowing at least one programming language. The programming language may be one for general use, like C++, Java, and JavaScript, or a programming language like Solidity and Simplicity, which is designed specifically for blockchain. Online blockchain courses are an opportunity to study how to code specifically for blockchain.
Is blockchain hard to learn?
A free blockchain course for beginners can provide a conversational understanding of blockchain. Such a course can be accessible to people who don’t know how to code. Blockchain developer jobs are programming jobs where the focus is coding applications that use blockchain technology. For someone who already knows programming, blockchain may not be too difficult to learn.
What technical skills do I need to become a blockchain developer?
People with a career in blockchain technology typically know at least one programming language, and are familiar with cryptography, peer-to-peer networking and distributed systems, algorithms and data structures. This helps them understand how blockchain works as well as smart contracts, which govern how each blockchain functions.
Do I need a degree to become a blockchain developer?
A degree is not required to become a blockchain developer. While a boot camp, bachelor’s, or master’s program can provide the foundations for a career in blockchain technology, the skills necessary for a job can also be acquired through online courses. Many blockchain online courses also come with a blockchain certification upon completion.
Can I get a discount if I enroll 10+ employees in Blockchain courses?
Yes, edX For Business offers subscription packages and volume discounts to cost-effectively upskill your employees and support your company culture of learning. An edX For Business curriculum advisor can curate online learning experiences to meet your workforce learning and development challenges. Click here to begin your custom curation and learn about volume discounts.
