Ethereum is one of the largest blockchain platforms. You can use it to build decentralized applications, smart contracts, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).
You’ll need a language to program in, to build on the Ethereum blockchain. Although you have many options for Ethereum development, Solidity and Vyper are the most popular.
The Solidity Programming Language
Solidity is a very popular high-level programming language used for Ethereum development. It’s an object-oriented language with a full-fledged ecosystem of libraries that you can use to build complex applications. Solidity shares some similarities with JavaScript regarding static typing, expressions and keywords, and object-oriented programming. Here’s a simple Hello World programs in Solidity:
pragma solidity ^0.8.18;contract HelloWorld
// Create function to return "Hello world"
function helloWorld() public pure returns (string memory)
return "Hello world";
The program above defines a helloWorld() function. the helloWorld() function returns a string; in this case, the phrase “Hello world.” Here’s the result of running the Hello World program on the Remix IDE:
What Is the Vyper Programming Language?
Vyper is a newer language for Ethereum development. It was released in 2018; like Solidity, Vyper is a statically typed language.
Vyper is written in the same syntax that the Python programming language uses, which is simpler than Solidity code. The language focuses on the security of smart contracts. Here is a simple Hello World program written in Vyper:
@external
@view
def helloWorld() -> String[24]:
return "Hello World!"
Like the Solidity example, this program defines a helloWorld() function that returns a string. In this case, the function returns HelloWorld!
Here’s the result of running the Vyper Hello World program on Remix:
Differences Between Solidity and Vyper
Although Solidity and Vyper have similar use cases, there are differences between the languages you’ll want to consider when choosing a language for Ethereum development.
Here are some differences between Solidity and Vyper.
Language Syntax
Vyper has a simple syntax, while Solidity has a complex syntax similar to C++. Solidity’s syntax makes it easier for developers to build sophisticated applications. Vyper, on the other hand, has a more constrained syntax. It does not support custom modifiers, interfaces, or inheritance.
Here are some specific differences between the syntaxes of both languages.
Vyper uses indentation to delimit code blocks, while Solidity uses curly braces. Here is a simple Vyper program:
def test() -> none:
if x > 5:
else:
Here’s the same program in Solidity:
function test() public
if (x > 5)
else
// do something else
Variable and function declarations in Solidity are more complex than in Vyper because you have to specify visibility, storage location, etc. Here is a simple program that defines a variable and a function in Solidity:
contract MyContract
uint256 public x;
function myFunc(uint256 _x) public returns (uint256)
// do something with _x
return x;
Here is a simple program that defines a variable and a function in Vyper:
contract MyContract:
x: uint256
def myFunc(_x: uint256) -> uint256:
return self.x
Vyper code is generally a bit easier to read than Solidity code.
Smart Contract Security
Vyper ensures a high level of security for smart contracts. Vyper has fewer features than Solidity, making it less prone to security threats.
Solidity has features such as inheritance, support for custom modifiers, and advanced data types like mappings. These features are not readily available in Vyper, and using them carelessly in Solidity can cause serious security threats.
Language Adoption and Developer Familiarity
Solidity is more popular and widely accepted than Vyper. Solidity has very good community support and resources available for beginners.
On the other hand, Vyper is not widely accepted and lacks community support, so beginners must figure out many things themselves.
If you have worked with programming languages like Python, you will find it relatively easier to learn Vyper. On the other hand, if you are familiar with programming languages like Java and C++, you will find Solidity easier to learn.
Gas Efficiency
Vyper consumes less gas than Solidity because Vyper’s syntax makes it easier for the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to read. Since Solidity has a more complex syntax, contracts written with Solidity will consume more gas and thus result in higher Ethereum gas fees.
If building secure applications with less gas is your priority, Vyper is your best option. Solidity is generally less gas efficient and secure than Vyper because of its many features that can increase gas fees. They can also make your contract prone to vulnerabilities.
Which Language Should You Use for Ethereum Applications?
Consider the differences between the two languages, and decide on one based on your project’s requirements and your own preferences. Vyper is a better option for smart contracts because of its high-level security and easier syntax. You will discover the downside of using Vyper when building complex applications since Vyper has fewer features than Solidity.
Solidity is handy for complex projects, and the ever-growing solidity community and many features make Solidity preferable. However, if you choose Solidity, you’ll need to audit your application often to catch bugs and security vulnerabilities.
Allow Your Project’s Specifications to Influence Your Choice
Your choice of language for developing on Ethereum best depends on the features and specifications of your project. Vyper and Solidity have their pros and cons so, based on your project, you’ll want to choose a language whose drawbacks you can easily avoid.
