Original Article: Building dApps that Last: Why Cairo is the Winner Programming Language for Web3 Devs

Author: James Strudwick, Executive Director of the Starknet Foundation

Translation and Proofreading: Starknet Chinese Community

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Highlights

• Cairo is a highly optimized verifiable programming language designed specifically for scaling Ethereum.

• Compared to other languages like Rust, Solidity, and Python, Cairo has unique advantages in handling high-frequency blockchain activities and privacy protection.

• Although the learning curve is steep, mastering Cairo will provide developers with immense potential to drive the future development of decentralized applications.

Introduction

"To understand the world, one must first understand Cairo."

This quote from Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz reflects the important role that the city of Cairo has played in shaping global culture, politics, and history.

Today, the programming language that bears the same name, Cairo, is gradually becoming the key to understanding the Web3 ecosystem. Just as the city of Cairo is the gateway to exploring a complex history, the Cairo programming language is opening new doors in the decentralized world, driving innovation and adoption.

What makes Cairo unique compared to other programming tools? Why should Web3 developers invest time in mastering this language?

If you are willing to dive deep and learn from top experts, please join the Starknet bootcamp to fully grasp all the knowledge about Cairo.

What can Cairo do?

Cairo is a highly optimized verifiable programming language, and STARK technology is particularly well-suited for scaling Ethereum, as the time required to verify a proof is shorter than the time to execute the program with the same inputs. Therefore, the underlying code of Starknet is entirely written in Cairo, aiming to scale Ethereum and build Web3 applications.

Starknet enhances the scalability of Ethereum by increasing the network's ability to process transactions, without causing the common issues of network latency or high fees. It achieves this by only submitting state changes to Ethereum, while aggregating multiple Starknet state transition proofs into a single proof, thereby distributing the proof cost across multiple users. This process relies on Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP), allowing Ethereum to securely verify transactions without exposing the details of each transaction, similar to receiving a consolidated receipt.

By batch-processing transactions and only sharing critical data with Ethereum, Starknet's use of Cairo not only reduces the cost but also significantly improves transaction speed for its applications.

Use Cases of Cairo

The efficiency and privacy features of Cairo make it an indispensable tool for many Web3 applications. In the DeFi domain, Cairo enables platforms to process a large number of transactions at a lower cost, making DeFi services more accessible to users. In the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) space, Cairo supports the creation and transfer of digital collectibles, while significantly reducing transaction fees, improving the accessibility and scalability of the market. Additionally, developers can use Cairo to efficiently verify other proof systems with inherent privacy protection.

Although the powerful capabilities of Cairo make it a key driver for the development of Ethereum and Web3, its complexity also presents a learning curve for developers. However, for those who master Cairo, it unlocks immense potential to drive the future development of decentralized applications.

As a sought-after niche skill, Cairo is gaining attention from like-minded individuals who are dedicated to developing long-lasting applications and driving meaningful mass adoption. They are also able to deeply understand the unique advantages that Cairo holds compared to more popular traditional programming languages.

Cairo vs. Other Programming Languages

Comparing to Rust:

Rust, with its high performance, safety, and multi-platform compatibility, has become the ideal choice for developers who want flexibility in blockchain platforms and other applications. However, Cairo is more suitable for Ethereum scaling and specific blockchain applications, as it was designed with these use cases in mind. Rust lacks the specific features of Cairo in Ethereum scalability and privacy protection, such as transaction batching and zero-knowledge proofs. Cairo's deep integration with Starknet and Ethereum makes it a more specialized tool for developers focused on scaling and optimizing Ethereum applications. While Rust is more versatile and flexible across multiple blockchain platforms, Cairo has unparalleled advantages in the efficient scaling of Ethereum applications.

Cairo vs. Solidity

As the primary language for creating smart contracts on Ethereum, Solidity is designed to handle individual transactions within the blockchain. Cairo, on the other hand, fills the gap in Ethereum's scalability by becoming an efficient language for verifying the integrity of computations. Cairo is both a smart contract and a programming language, meaning it can be used for both on-chain and off-chain operations. In contrast, Solidity's application is limited to the EVM, and it cannot aggregate blocks like Cairo can.

By focusing on transaction scalability, Cairo enhances the performance of Solidity-based smart contracts, making these two languages complementary. Cairo provides a key layer with native computational integrity for handling high-frequency blockchain activities.

Cairo vs. Python

Python is known for its generality and ease of use in data science, machine learning, and web development, while Cairo is a specialized verifiable language focused on scaling Ethereum. Python's beginner-friendly design, readability, and flexibility make it an ideal choice for general-purpose applications, but these advantages do not meet the specific needs of blockchain. While Python is widely applicable across industries, Cairo's performance is tailored to the requirements of Web3, giving it an advantage in blockchain scalability and transaction efficiency.

Cairo vs. C++/Java

C++ and Java are high-performance general-purpose programming languages commonly used in areas like gaming and enterprise software that require speed and complex logic. However, Cairo, with its verifiability and modern compiler architecture, can concurrently execute operations in sorters and constrain these proofs against the same set of rules that Ethereum verifies, allowing it to scale to thousands of transactions. This mechanism provides Cairo with an extremely high level of security, as no one can generate blocks that do not conform to the StarknetOS rules.

Cairo is custom-built for the Ethereum blockchain, specifically designed to handle the demands of DeFi and high transaction throughput. In contrast, C++ and Java excel in traditional centralized environments. As a developer-friendly verifiable language, Cairo's ability to manage and securely verify batched off-chain transactions makes it a superior choice for blockchain scaling, which is a need that general-purpose languages like C++ and Java cannot fulfill.

Another issue with C++ and Java is their large user bases, which tend to favor keeping their languages stable and unchanged, making them appear somewhat outdated. Cairo, on the other hand, is more flexible in adopting new ideas and technologies, further demonstrating its superiority.

Why Cairo is Crucial for Web3 Developers

Cairo is a top-tier programming language for specific task scenarios, particularly when it comes to scaling Ethereum. However, if your need is for an ultra-efficient but non-verifiable memory-safe program, Rust would be a more suitable choice. Nevertheless, as the demand for Ethereum applications continues to grow, the need for solutions that reduce costs and increase speed also increases, making Cairo a critical tool in the Web3 ecosystem.

Developers can break through the limitations of traditional programming languages in the blockchain, building applications that can run at scale and at a lower cost. Although Cairo's adoption is not yet as widespread as other languages, it is crucial for the future of Web3. Just as the city of Cairo is a bridge to understanding complex history, the Cairo programming language is a bridge to a more open, efficient, and decentralized future.

Does mastering Cairo take time? Of course.

Can you master this language? We believe you can.

Anything worth pursuing, any goal that can take you beyond the ordinary and towards excellence, requires focused dedication and effort.

Cairo was not built in a day, and the construction of Web3 is no different. However, as long as there is a team of skilled developers, the future holds immense potential to create a better society for all.