This article was published as a part of the Data Science Blogathon.
Introduction
From the current trends in technology, a lot is likely to become more sophisticated. One area we will look at is the new technology known as Vyper, which is a programming language for developing apps on the web 3. This type of web 3 app will be the era of smart contracts. Software developers will be focused on creating these programs to run on the web 3 ecosystems. This smart contract programming will evolve into a requirement in the tech ecosystem. This innovation will cause many languages to take the forefront because they will increase in importance while others will lose functionalities and usefulness.
Smart contract programming has become popular on the platform of the innovation of blockchain networks. This makes learning Vyper a good decision and sets you on the path to smart contract programming. In this article, we will learn about Vyper and its environment.
It is a language that is emerging as an experimental pythonic language. It is a smart contract language that follows Python 3 syntax concentrating on the Ethereum Virtual Machine or EVM. We will discuss what EVM is in the next section below.
Another name common in developing smart contracts is Solidity. It is an alternative to Vyper. Vyper is used in developing smart contracts on Ethereum but it presents a good alternative in certain aspects. Many insist that Vyper allows a practical and minimalist perspective for reading and writing smart contracts. One of the first things advantage of the Vyper programming language is security. We will discuss this language by seeing an overview of its features. We will look at Vyper, a programming language developed for the Web 3 space. Now let us see what EVM is all about.
What is EVM?
The term EVM is full for Ethereum Virtual Machine. To get a better understanding, let’s break the term in two, starting with what a virtual machine is.
What is a Virtual Machine?
The term virtual implies a thing that does not fully exist. We use this term to describe something that is not happening in real life. This means something that remains intangibly. In this context, a virtual machine is a machine that is not existing solely at our discretion. It exists but on its own like an independent computer within a computer. The only connection between the EVM and the local computer is that it seats on it. But it does not rely on its hardware while it runs its software. Now let us bring in the second term of Ethereum.
What is an Ethereum?
Ethereum is simply one of the most successful implementations of a blockchain. What is a blockchain? Lets us see it literally, a block and a chain. Blocks are batches of data of transactions. A chain is the joining of these blocks of transactions so that they are linked such that a change in one will reflect in all the others. Therefore, a blockchain is a network of computers that can manage them to form an ecosystem where they are all equally dependent on each other. Ethereum is an implementation of a blockchain using technologies and means mostly unique to it.
It supports decentralized behavior so that all the blocks can do things like digital money and global payment that are not controlled by any single computer or server. Ethereum makes the possession of assets very easy and common such as money values (cryptocurrencies).
We can now define an Ethereum Virtual Machine as a blockchain with a computer embedded in it This is called a canonical computer that twerks everything as everyone agrees. The term Ethereum is a commercial name commonly used. This is a good platform where smart apps are developed that are decentralized, permissionless, and censorship-resistant.
Any block can make a request which is open to everyone and is agreed to by everyone so that they can verify, validate, and carry out the request as they all agree. This is how the network changes and grows. Particular software needs to exist to work in unison with this technology. These are known as smart contracts. This is where Vyper Programming language comes into the picture.
EVM Use Case: NFTs
What is a Non-Fungible Token (NFT)?
Simply put, a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) is a means of unique identification in the EVM. In a system like Ethereum, there is a need to create a means of giving things unique identification so they can’t be stolen, edited, or copied. This is so that platforms that offer collectibles like keys or tickets, or items that should not be more than one can easily do this. Ethereum provides a suitable means for carrying this out using certain standards. Other use cases include Cryptocurrencies and smart contracts, which we will soon discuss.
What is Vyper Programming Language?
Vyper is a contract-oriented, pythonic programming language that targets the Ethereum Virtual Machine. It has inherited features of the python programming language. The Ethereum Virtual Machine, or EVM, which we discussed earlier, is the software responsible for running smart contracts. It helps to host and manage Ethereum after a new block is added to the chain (the blockchain system).
A smart contract is the next generation of the internet, requiring decentralization for the parties involved to carry out transactions on this platform. Carrying out transactions involves a user and a provider. Decentralization requires the owner of a service, say a game, to provide his service without being the only person in charge of making decisions or controlling the system. This service provider is not expected to have control over the service environment. Neither is the user expected to be in control. The only way to make this possible is to have a system that can run and do things independently after both parties have agreed. This makes a smart system necessary and the need for automation.
A smart contract is a self-executing program where the terms of the user and service provider are left in control of the code. Viper is one of the coolest languages used in writing these smart contracts. Another terminology is Ethereum. It is a platform that runs these smart contracts. From what we have seen about smart contracts, they need a platform where they can exist.
Benefits of Using Vyper Programming Language
Vyper is a language that does not claim to be a programming language on steroids. It rather boasts of simplicity. Below are some features of Python language;
Security: Vyper was designed to facilitate a natural feel in smart contracts. It is a new high-level language for Ethereum smart contract development meant to combat vulnerabilities in security.
Simplicity: The language and the compiler present a simple and easy feel for use. Since decentralization is a complex ecosystem, it is best to key in simplicity. This is why the Remix IDE is equally presented to facilitate ease and simplicity in both code and development environments.
Auditability: Vyper code tries to be human-readable. It targets the reader of the code than the programmer. This is some of its difference from Python, which is a superset of the language.
Installing Vyper
Vyper is quite easy to install and start using. You could use Remix online. It is an IDE that is created for developing, deploying, and administering smart contracts for a blockchain environment. It is created with beginners at heart, so it is a good place to start from. I will explain this to those who would like to install Vyper locally on their machine. This can be done using python-pip cmd, a package manager for Python. Code in Vyper has a syntax that is valid Python3 syntax, but not all Python3 functionality is available in Vyper. This means Vyper is a subset of Python while Python is a superset. All the codes will be written in Remix. Let’s go over it.
Using the Python program manager
To prevent conflicts between Vyper and new packages installed, it is recommended to install Vyper in a virtual Python environment. We could use either pyenv or Poetry. Python 3.6 and higher must be installed. For Poetry, Python 3.7 and higher. It allows the use of project libraries in your project and it will manage them for you. These could be dependencies and packages in Python.
pip command:
Pip is a popular tool for installing Python packages, and the one included with modern versions of Python. It provides features for finding, downloading, and installing Python packages. It is usually installed in virtual environments.
STEP I:
You have to open your command line. For Windows, you can use any of the two options;
- Go to the Start menu or screen by pressing the windows button and typing “Command Prompt” in the search field. The CMD program appears first with a black icon.
- Go to the Start menu by pressing the windows button on the keyboard and type “All Programs” next, go to ”Accessories” and select ”Command Prompt.”
STEP II:
Ensure you have Python installed and you can run Python from the command line. You can check this by running:
Let us be sure pip is installed. Type in the following on the Command Prompt interface;
Check if it is installed using;
py -m pip --version
If you are good to go, check the python version;
Windows Users;
py --version
Unix/Mac;
python3 --version
You should see the version of Python you have installed. If it is below Python 3.6 you need to be able to install Vyper. You could go to the Python update page and download and install the latest version of the Python installer to update the python on your windows computer. If you have a Mac computer, you can download the latest version from the Python official site. Linux users could type in:
$ sudo apt update
But if you do not have Python installed, you must go to the official site and download the latest version.
STEP III:
It is now assumed that you have a Python version greater than 3.6 installed on your computer. You can use the command below to install Vyper.
pip install vyper
If you are more sure of what you are doing you could use the below command to install a specific version of Vyper:
pip install vyper==0.2.15
Now you should have Vyper on your computer ready for work. The next step from here should be to learn a simple program on Vyper such as the Balot or open auction project available from the official website.
Conclusion
We have been able to see the Vyper programming language. We covered the nature of the language and the idea behind its development. Due to its newness, its documentation is still not very rich with content, but you can still get more details there. Please visit the official Vyper website for documentation on the language. We have seen the language that stands to be the language of the Web 3 future. An alternative is a Solidity which is more developed than Vyper. Vyper is a fantastic language to learn, but it still has some lapses, and it is still under development.
Key takeaways:
- Vyper is a contract-oriented, pythonic programming language that targets the Ethereum Virtual Machine. Ethereum is a platform that runs these smart contracts. From what we have seen about smart contracts, they need a platform where they can exist.
- For there to be decentralized, the service owner, say a game, is not supposed to have chief control of the service environment in terms of mercy.
- Vyper claims not to try to be a programming language on steroids using simplicity. But it claims the following benefits. Security: Vyper was designed to facilitate a natural feel in smart contracts. Simplicity: The language and the compiler present a simple and easy feel for use. Auditability: Vyper code tries to be human-readable. It targets the reader of the code than the programmer.
- Vyper is quite easy to install and start using. You could use Remix online. It is an IDE that is created for developing, deploying, and administering smart contracts for a blockchain environment.
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I am an AI Engineer with a deep passion for research, and solving complex problems. I provide AI solutions leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs), GenAI, Transformer Models, and Stable Diffusion.
