What is Solidity? What is it primarily used to develop?

Okay, no problem. I'll explain it to you in a more accessible way.

What is Solidity?

Simply put, Solidity is a programming language.

Just as we communicate with people using languages like Chinese or English, programmers communicate with computers using programming languages, telling the computer what to do. For example, many of the apps on your phone are written using languages like Java or Swift.

However, Solidity is quite special. It's not used to write ordinary mobile apps or websites, but is specifically designed for writing programs called "Smart Contracts".

Let me give you an analogy:

You can imagine a Smart Contract as a fully automatic, unsupervised "vending machine" sitting on the blockchain.

• Fixed Rules: The rules of this machine are hardcoded, for example, "Insert 3 coins, and a bottle of cola will definitely drop out."
• Automatic Execution: As long as you meet the conditions (insert 3 coins), it will automatically execute the outcome (drop the cola), and no one can interfere.
• Open and Transparent: Everyone can see the rules of this machine, and everyone can see who inserted money and who took the cola.

And Solidity is the language we use to write the internal operating rules for this "vending machine."

What is it mainly used to develop?

Now that you understand Solidity is used to write smart contracts, the applications developed with it are naturally smart-contract-based. These applications are commonly known as "Decentralized Applications" (DApps).

These DApps run on blockchains like Ethereum, and because they are not controlled by a central company or institution, they are called "decentralized."

Below are some very popular types of applications developed using Solidity:

1. Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

This is perhaps the hottest field right now. Imagine a world without banks:

• Decentralized Exchanges (DEX): You can directly swap various digital currencies with a program (smart contract), rather than through a centralized platform. For example, Uniswap.
• Lending Platforms: You can collateralize your digital assets with a smart contract to borrow money, or lend money to it to earn interest. The entire process is automatically executed by code, with no bank manager approvals. For example, Aave.

2. NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)

You've definitely heard of "digital collectibles" or "Bored Apes."

Every NFT is essentially backed by a smart contract. This contract, written in Solidity, clearly defines:

• Who created this digital artwork.
• The total number of editions.
• Who currently owns it.
• The rules for transferring ownership.

It's precisely because of smart contracts that "a painting" or "a song" in the digital world can have its "ownership" proven and be securely bought and sold.

3. Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs)

You can think of it as an organization or company managed by code.

All organizational rules (e.g., how to vote, how to use funds) are written into smart contracts. All members vote according to the rules, and the voting results automatically trigger the smart contract to execute, such as automatically transferring funds to a specific project. It's completely transparent, so no one can manipulate things.

4. GameFi (Blockchain Gaming)

In traditional games, your equipment and items belong to the game company. If the game company shuts down, all your items are gone.

However, in blockchain games, your game items (e.g., a sword, a skin) can be an NFT, recorded on the blockchain, truly belonging to you. You can take it to an external marketplace to sell. The rules and ownership of these items are also written in Solidity.

In summary

• Solidity: A programming language.
• It's used to write: Smart Contracts (self-executing, transparent programs).
• The end products are: Various DApps running on blockchains like Ethereum, such as DeFi, NFTs, DAOs, and more.

Hope this explanation helps you understand! It's like a key that unlocks the door to the blockchain world.