Aiken is a modern programming language designed to enable developers to build and launch decentralized applications on Cardano faster and more easily.
It is the smart contract programming language behind several of the most popular dApps in the Cardano blockchain ecosystem including Minswap (DeFi), JPGStore (NFT), LenFi, and more. By making the onboarding process seamless and familiar for developers of all backgrounds, Aiken removes many of the technical hurdles and knowledge barriers to getting started with Cardano application development seen with other Cardano smart contract programming languages Plutus and Marlowe.
To support developers unlock the power of Aiken, EMURGO Academy offers a curated and guided online course complete with access to educational resources, instructor feedback, and live learning modules.
Here are some FAQs of the Aiken course and some valuable insights provided by a learner from the first inaugural cohort.
Aiken Smart Contract Development Course FAQs
What is Aiken, and why is it needed in today’s Cardano dApp development?
Aiken is a smart contract language designed specifically for Cardano that simplifies the process of writing and deploying Plutus smart contracts. Its primary goal is to streamline Cardano dApp development, offering a more efficient and developer-friendly alternative to existing languages like PlutusTx.
Some advantages include:
- Bypasses Haskell’s complexity, making Cardano development more accessible.
- Developer-friendly syntax with simplified, functional language.
- Optimized compilation to Plutus Core for smaller, faster contracts.
- Robust tools for testing, validation, and deployment.
- Encourages focus on business logic, reducing infrastructure overhead.
- Faster time-to-market for dApp development.
How easy is it to develop Cardano dApps using Aiken compared to previous programming languages?
Aiken tooling is, by far, the best for quickly getting to work into your actual code and logic instead of dedicating time to prepare your environment or to be ready to code. Literally, from zero to coding in less than 5 minutes. Not only that, learners get:
- Helpful and clear error messages.
- Simple testing included without having to deal with complex testing suites.
- A helpful language prelude and standard library documentation.
- Popular code editor plugins
- A Language Server Protocol to support code creation.
What will learners learn, and what will they get after completing the course?
EMURGO Academy has taken all the learnings from all our other blockchain education courses where we’ve trained hundreds of developers on Plutus and dApp development. We’ve interacted with experts from production environments on what is required to thrive in the professional developer world. Our expertise is in live learning blockchain education courses, which makes complete sense for Aiken.
The strengths and needs for live learning through our Aiken course include:
- Rapid Evolution: Cardano and Aiken are rapidly evolving, with frequent updates and new versions. The course offers learners up-to-date information on how to utilize Aiken.
- Challenges of Static Learning: Pre-recorded e-learning courses become quickly outdated due to constant changes in the ecosystem.
- Live Course Advantages: Our live courses adapt to changes in real-time, ensuring learners always work with the latest features and updates.
- Hands-On, Project-Based Learning: Practical learning ensures students build DApps with current tools and adapt to updates as they happen.
- Expert Mentorship: Direct access to Aiken and Cardano experts helps learners tackle complex problems and keep up with protocol changes.
- Networking Opportunities: Learners connect with aspiring developers from diverse backgrounds, opening doors to collaboration and career growth.
- Reputed Certification: Aiken certification from a recognized Cardano co-founding entity boosts credibility and provides industry recognition.
- Future-Proof Skills: The course teaches adaptability, ensuring career skills remain relevant in a fast-evolving blockchain space.
Has EMURGO Academy noticed a progression in students’ skills over the sessions? Can you share examples of their improvements?
Learners can grasp the basic details of the Cardano blockchain’s model for programming smart contracts. Many also advance in their actual blockchain projects as they get more clarity on topics through the live learning sessions or the support groups they can join.
How is the course structured to ensure students can quickly apply what they learn to real-world projects?
The course runs for 15 weeks and includes:
- Hands-On, Project-Based Learning: Build a showcase DApp, followed by a personal capstone project.
- Incremental Learning with Real-Time Application: Apply concepts immediately through coding and building.
- Full-Stack DApp Development: Cover the entire process from smart contract creation to front-end integration.
- Live Mentorship & Support: Quick troubleshooting and problem-solving with expert guidance.
- Capstone Project: Develop a fully functional, unique DApp from scratch.
- Expert Guest Sessions: Gain insights into real-world use cases and best practices from experienced developers.
What topics are covered in the Aiken course?
Topics covered include:
- Cardano’s eUTxO blockchain accounting model and how to align use cases with it
- Aiken basics to create Cardano smart contracts validators
- Aiken testing processes
- Aiken features to improve the readability of your code
- Off-chain code with Lucid Evolution
- Cardano-centric tricks and tips
- How to analyze a blockchain use case and implement it with Cardano smart contracts using Aiken
- Access to past guest instructor session recordings
- Live guest sessions on the latest topics and in-depth walkthroughs on key aspects of dApp development on Cardano using Aiken
- How to take what you’ve learned and apply it to create Project Catalyst proposals, get funding, and build a dApp.
Are there any prerequisites for enrolling in this course?
Basic blockchain cryptography knowledge is required.
A blockchain and Cardano overview will be provided as a FREE e-learning guide to all registrants. This is around 20-25 hours of content.
A learner must also be a developer who knows how to build an application (however small) from design to completion.
For those who are non-developers, EMURGO Academy is coming up with a set of free courses to enable learners to quickly and effectively get to the point where they can be comfortable with the skills required for the Aiken course. Keep an eye out for some announcements on this coming soon through EMURGO’s X and LinkedIn channels.
What are the limitations on class size?
EMURGO Academy has found that between 30 to 40 participants is ideal to maximize learning and networking opportunities for learners.
What key takeaways do you hope learners leave with by the end of the course, and how will this benefit their future Cardano development?
Understanding the Cardano model, no matter the tools, learners can take advantage of great tools like Aiken to create and maintain their projects in the Cardano blockchain.
To sum up, learners will receive the following benefits:
- Mastery of Aiken and Cardano: Deep understanding of Aiken smart contracts and Cardano protocols, enabling learners to build functional and scalable DApps.
- Practical Application Skills: Confidence in applying learned knowledge to real-world projects, having developed a full-stack dApp during the course.
- Problem-Solving Abilities: Enhanced ability to troubleshoot, adapt to evolving technologies, and overcome development challenges in a fast-changing blockchain space.
- Future-Proof Skillset: Agility to keep up with rapid updates in Aiken and Cardano, ensuring long-term relevance in blockchain development.
- Industry-Recognized Certification: A reputable Aiken certification that enhances their credibility and opens doors to professional opportunities.
- Networking and Collaboration: Strong connections with peers and mentors, fostering potential collaborations and career growth in the Cardano ecosystem.
Student Insights
These are special insights on the EMURGO Academy Aiken Course provided by Tucker Triggs, a website developer, Creator of adastack.io, and a learner from the first cohort of the Aiken Course.
Why did you decide to join the course?
Tucker: Using Cardano is cool, but building things on Cardano is cooler. Sort of like the internet, bringing things into the world without needing permission. This Aiken course serves two purposes for me: to further my understanding of the Cardano system at a technical level and to build up valuable skills to start getting paid to build on Cardano.
What were your initial expectations before joining the Aiken course, and how did the experience compare? Was there anything that surprised you?
Tucker: For many trying to grasp building on Cardano, Haskell is a new programming language with a new paradigm and it’s difficult to wrap your head around. Then, you can start learning Plutus for smart contracts.
However, Aiken and this course is very different. Within minutes, you’re setting up your code environment. On the second day, you’re discussing Aiken code and looking at Aiken code, and on the third day, you’re writing Aiken code.
The Aiken course was stripped of all that can be learned from videos. It is stripped down to what’s more valuable, up-to-date Aiken knowledge.
How would you describe the support from the course teacher and the interactions during the sessions?
Tucker: The instructors have always been exceptional at EMURGO. Everyone I’ve had has always been super knowledgeable and super friendly. You can tell they care a lot about the material. Also, the EMURGO Academy support staff is very responsive.
Are you planning to build your Cardano dApp right away after finishing the course? Mind sharing what dApps you will build using Aiken?
Tucker: Yes, I definitely want to build something. Not sure quite what yet, but I’m paying attention to the ecosystem, what’s coming out of [Project] Catalyst, and what people are building. Potentially, I can find a cool project to join. Also, I am working on my project with I applied for Catalyst.
Sign Up Now for EMURGO Academy’s new Aiken course
To help blockchain developers with a personalized approach to learning Aiken, EMURGO Academy provides a special course to enable learners to utilize Aiken and build Cardano applications immediately.
The latest cohort for the Aiken course begins October 26, 2024.
Seats are limited. Don’t miss out!
Register now to start your Aiken learning journey and help build the next wave of dApps to impact the Cardano ecosystem.
About EMURGO
- Official Homepage: emurgo.io
- X (Global): @EMURGO_io
- YouTube: EMURGO channel
- LinkedIn: @EMURGO_io
Disclaimer
You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained herein shall constitute a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by EMURGO to invest.
