Learn Blockchain DEV — Top 6 Books for Blockchain Developers
Education is a never-ending process and if you’re aiming to succeed in the blockchain industry, you cannot afford to get behind. The technology is developing at a blistering pace and more and more devs are joining the race. Previously, we made a list of the best blockchain online courses for those willing to master the topics of Bitcoin and blockchain in the most modern way.
However, if you’re looking for deeper blockchain expertise you should seek fundamental knowledge. And if you’re not afraid to pick up a real book, you will be handsomely rewarded.
After all, when you’re not sure where to invest, invest in your education!
Blockchain Book #1
Introducing Ethereum and Solidity: Foundations of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Programming for Beginners, by Chris Dannen
Suitable for all Ethereum enthusiasts with a basic understanding of computer science, product managers, CTOs, JavaScript programmers, and blockchain experts.
The book will give you in-depth insights and introduce the possibilities of the scripting language Solidity and the Ethereum project.
Not only it will help you to review the fundamentals of programming and networking, but you will also get a glimpse of a new discipline of crypto-economics. Eventually, you will be able to create smart contracts by yourself.
The great thing about this book is that it suits all levels whether you’re only starting with Ethereum or have been involved with blockchain tech for a while.
You will learn how Ethereum and other cryptos work and understand the difference between apps and dapps. The book will help you write Ethereum smart contracts in Solidity and work with them, as well as connect Ethereum smart contracts to your applications. Finally, you will be able to deploy your own dapps, coins, and even blockchains.
Blockchain Book #2
The Science of the Blockchain, by Roger Wattenhofer
Suitable for advanced level developers with a deep background in computer science.
The book will explain to you the basic techniques for building blockchains and analyzing various protocols and algorithms and practical systems that implement them. The main chapters explore the following topics: Fault-Tolerance and Paxos, Consensus, Byzantine Agreement, Authenticated Agreement, Quorum Systems, Eventual Consistency and Bitcoin, Distributed Storage.
However, as you might have already guessed, the book is very technical and blockchain and cryptocurrency beginners won’t find it easy to read. It would be a lot more helpful for developers with a higher education level and a certain experience with blockchain tech.
Blockchain Book #3
Blockchain Enabled Applications: Understand the Blockchain Ecosystem and How to Make it Work for You, by Vikram Ghillton et al
Suitable for developers, product managers, directors or CIO level executives.
The book explores a wide range of blockchain topics from domains of healthcare to the Internet of Things to DAOs and open science. Readers will learn about the Ethereum virtual machine, Solidity, Colored Coins, the Hyperledger Project, and more.
It breaks down the entire infrastructure that was created around the blockchain and the industries that adopted the technology.
You will learn how to implement the code-base from Fabric and Sawtooth and the possibilities that blockchain tech combined with machine learning and artificial intelligence can create. Readers will be able to analyze blockchain case studies and come up with ideas on how to implement them in their own projects.
Blockchain Book #4
Mastering Bitcoin: Unlocking digital cryptocurrencies, by Andreas M. Antonopoulos
Suitable for all techies from blockchain developers to engineers, to software and systems architects as well as investors, business owners, and regular users.
Mastering Bitcoin is a must-read for every tech-savvy Bitcoin enthusiast and blockchain developer and if you’re serious about your education, you should definitely read it. Written by one of the most influential crypto ambassadors, the book delivers almost all the information that you need to know about Bitcoin and contains simple and straight to the point code samples.
“Whether you’re building the next killer app, investing in a startup, or simply curious about the technology, this revised and expanded second edition provides essential detail to get you started.”
The book can be useful for readers with different backgrounds as it starts by introducing the Bitcoin blockchain and later moves on to the technical foundations of bitcoin and cryptographic.
Blockchain Book #5
Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies, by Arvind Narayana et al
Suitable for students, developers, business owners, researchers, and other enthusiasts.
Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies is one of the most comprehensive introductions to blockchain technology. Even if you think you know everything the book has more to offer. It starts with the invention of Bitcoin, the blockchain, and cryptocurrencies and continues to explain the conceptual and practical foundations for building secure software.
Readers will learn about decentralization, mining, blockchain governance system, and will get to ponder the future of Bitcoin.
The book also features a website with videos for each chapter, homework, programming assignments, and lecture slides.
Blockchain Book #6
Programming Bitcoin: Learn How to Program Bitcoin from Scratch by Jimmy Song
Suitable for anyone with intermediate-level Python programming skills and other experienced coders who are exploring the blockchain space.
The author of Programming Bitcoin is Jimmy Song, a well-known blockchain entrepreneur and educator. Based on his teaching program, in his book, he explains how to program a Bitcoin library using Python. Step by step the book will guide you on how to work with Bitcoin’s blockchain, its blocks, and transactions.
In the end, you will have a clear picture of Bitcoin programming via Python 3 and cryptographic primitives. You will learn how to parse, validate, and create bitcoin transactions on the blockchain and understand how to implement the Bitcoin Script smart contract language.
So if you’re interested in the math behind Bitcoin and its blockchain, this book will give you some valuable insights.
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Originally published at https://blog.lumiwallet.com on October 22, 2019.
