As the first blockchain platform to introduce the concept of smart contracts, Ethereum serves as the gateway to a worldwide, decentralized computing paradigm. With this practical guide, Carlo Parisi, Alessandro Mazza, and Niccolo Pozzolini provide everything you need to know about building smart contracts and DApps on Ethereum and other virtual-machine blockchains.

You'll find comprehensive coverage of Ethereum's internal workings to help you understand not just the how but also the why of Ethereum's innovative technology. You'll dive deep into the architecture and operational mechanics of Ethereum by learning essential knowledge for building and interacting effectively with DApps and smart contracts on Ethereum and similar virtual-machine blockchains.

• Run an Ethereum client, create and transmit basic transactions, and program smart contracts
• Learn the essentials of public key cryptography, hashes, and digital signatures
• Understand how "wallets" hold digital keys that control funds and smart contracts
• Interact with Ethereum clients programmatically using JavaScript libraries and remote procedure call interfaces
• Learn security best practices, design patterns, and antipatterns with real-world examples
• Build simple decentralized applications using multiple peer-to-peer components
• Learn the essentials about DeFi and zero knowledge proofs
• Understand how the Consensus of Ethereum works and the challenges it presents
• Read and write basic Solidity and Vyper code