Blockchain Basics and Smart Contract Foundations
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Blockchain Basics and Smart Contract Foundations
This course is part of Complete DApp - Solidity and React - Blockchain Development Specialization
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What you'll learn
Understand blockchain, DApps, and their role in decentralization.
Master Solidity programming for building secure smart contracts.
Develop and deploy a crypto token and your first DApp.
Explore NFT concepts and use cases for digital assets.
Skills you'll gain
Tools you'll learn
Details to know
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- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
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- Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 7 modules in this course
Updated in May 2025.
This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. Unlock the potential of blockchain and smart contracts in this comprehensive course designed to guide you from the fundamentals to creating decentralized applications (DApps). Learn how blockchain technology revolutionizes industries and how smart contracts drive innovation. Gain hands-on experience with tools like Remix: Ethereum IDE and discover the power of Solidity programming. Your journey begins with an introduction to blockchain and DApps, exploring the key concepts of decentralization and their impact. Dive into the practicalities of smart contract development, mastering Solidity basics, pragma directives, operators, and functions. Exercises and coding challenges ensure a solid grasp of these essential skills. Advance to building your first DApp and crafting custom crypto tokens. Learn to integrate advanced Solidity features like modifiers, mappings, and arrays while implementing secure, functional smart contracts. Explore optional NFT concepts and marketplaces for insights into digital assets and creative applications. Whether you're a developer, blockchain enthusiast, or aspiring innovator, this course is tailored for all skill levels. A foundational understanding of programming is helpful but not required. Join us and become part of the decentralized revolution!
In this module, we will lay the foundation for understanding decentralized applications (DApps). We will explore their unique features, their importance in the blockchain ecosystem, and the underlying technology of blockchain itself. Additionally, we will compare the paradigms of centralization versus decentralization to comprehend their impact on DApp development.
What's included
4 videos2 readings
4 videos•Total 11 minutes
- Introduction to the Specialization•2 minutes
- What Is a DApp (Decentralized Application)•2 minutes
- Introduction to Blockchain•2 minutes
- Centralization Versus Decentralization•4 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
- Introduction to the Course 'Blockchain Basics and Smart Contract Foundations'•10 minutes
- Full Specialization Resources•10 minutes
In this module, we will delve into the practical aspects of developing smart contracts with Remix: Ethereum IDE. From setting up text editors to compiling and deploying contracts, this section equips us with the foundational tools and techniques for seamless DApp development.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
5 videos•Total 12 minutes
- Introduction to IDE (Remix: Ethereum)•3 minutes
- Introduction to Text Editors•2 minutes
- IDE Solidity Compiler and Deployer•3 minutes
- Download Your First Text Editor•1 minute
- Overview On What Is a Smart Contract•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Introduction to the IDE Remix: Ethereum - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will dive into the basics of Solidity, the language powering Ethereum smart contracts. Starting with simple file creation and progressing to variables, functions, and deployment, this section offers hands-on exercises to establish a solid foundation in Solidity programming.
What's included
18 videos1 assignment
18 videos•Total 52 minutes
- Create Your First Solidity File•1 minute
- Writing Comments in Solidity•2 minutes
- Pragma Solidity•2 minutes
- Pragma Solidity Version Conditions•2 minutes
- Exercise - Solidity Operator Basics I•2 minutes
- Smart Contract as Defined In Solidity•2 minutes
- Create Your First Smart Contract!•3 minutes
- Introduction to Variables (In Solidity)•2 minutes
- Optional - General Introduction to Variables in Programming and Solidity•13 minutes
- Introduction to Functions (Solidity)•5 minutes
- 'Public' Keyword (Solidity)•1 minute
- Exercise - Write the Shell of a Basic Function•1 minute
- Final - Simple Storage Contract•4 minutes
- Solidity Compiling and Debugging Introduction•4 minutes
- Deploy Your First Smart Contract (IDE - Remix: Ethereum)•3 minutes
- Interacting (Transactions) with Smart Contracts•4 minutes
- Exercise - Deploy a Smart Contract (Solidity)•1 minute
- Simple Storage Contract Solution•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Introduction to Solidity (Smart Contract Basics) - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will build a decentralized application (DApp) from scratch using Solidity. From defining variables and implementing smart contract modifiers to deploying and interacting with the blockchain, this hands-on section prepares us for creating functional DApps with real-world utility.
What's included
15 videos1 assignment
15 videos•Total 77 minutes
- Overview of Introductory-Level DApp Section•2 minutes
- Review: Ide Remix: Ethereum•2 minutes
- Creating Variables for the Will Smart Contract•5 minutes
- Introduction to the Constructor Function in Solidity•5 minutes
- Modifiers in Solidity•6 minutes
- Introduction to Arrays and Objects•3 minutes
- Mapping in Solidity (Key Store Value)•2 minutes
- Exercise - setInheritance Function (Scoping and Argument)•3 minutes
- setInheritance Function Recap (Address and Amount)•3 minutes
- Introduction to For Loop in Solidity•10 minutes
- Recap: Will Smart Contract (Steps So Far)•6 minutes
- Oracle - isDeceased Function•4 minutes
- Compiling and Deploying the Smart Contract•5 minutes
- IDE: Deployment Review - Will Smart Contract•6 minutes
- Interacting with the Blockchain and Oracle•15 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Build Your First Solidity DApp (Decentralized Application) from Scratch - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will consolidate our knowledge with a glossary of essential terms and concepts in Solidity and smart contract development. This section serves as a reference point, enhancing our understanding of blockchain terminology and preparing us for advanced learning.
What's included
11 videos1 assignment
11 videos•Total 34 minutes
- Overview of Glossary Section•2 minutes
- Solidity Address Variable Type•2 minutes
- Solidity Mapping•2 minutes
- Solidity Scoping with Variable•4 minutes
- Global Variables in Solidity•2 minutes
- Solidity Modifiers•2 minutes
- Solidity Constructor•1 minute
- Blockchain Transactions•3 minutes
- Returning Multiple Datatypes with Functions in Solidity•6 minutes
- Destructuring and Multiple Returns from Functions in Solidity•7 minutes
- Exercise - Destructuring and Multiple Returns from Functions in Solidity•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Solidity and Smart Contract Glossary - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will create a basic cryptocurrency token using Solidity. From setting up the token contract to minting, sending, and deploying, this section provides a comprehensive guide to developing and managing fungible tokens.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
5 videos•Total 32 minutes
- Crypto Token Contract Setup•6 minutes
- Minting Function in Solidity•3 minutes
- Send Tokens Function in Solidity•10 minutes
- Review: ERC20 Contract Introduction•2 minutes
- Deploy Your First Crypto Coin•11 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Build a Basic Crypto Token (Solidity - Smart Contracts) - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will explore the world of NFTs through the lens of the KryptoBirdz case study. From understanding NFT marketplaces and metadata to exploring creative and technical applications, this optional section offers valuable insights into the evolving NFT landscape.
What's included
4 videos1 reading3 assignments
4 videos•Total 21 minutes
- Introduction to NFT Marketplaces and Collections (KryptoBirdz Case Study) Part I•4 minutes
- The Power of NFT Metadata and Properties•5 minutes
- How to Read an NFT (KryptoBirdz Exercise)•6 minutes
- Making NFTs Work for You (From Algorithms to Acrylic Paintings)•6 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Conclusion to the Course 'Blockchain Basics and Smart Contract Foundations'•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
- Full Course Practice Assessment•15 minutes
- Optional: OpenSea NFT Marketplaces and Collections (KryptoBirdz Case Study) - Assessment•15 minutes
- Full Course Assessment•60 minutes
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