Web3 refers to the whole range of decentralized (peer-to-peer) technologies, but which infrastructure is crucial for it? Let’s start with libraries and wallets
Ideologically, Web3 or Web 3.0 is set to replace Web2.0, a generation of Internet infrastructure that pioneered user-generated content. Web3 prioritizes peer-to-peer interactions, when no counterparty can obtain 100% control over the infrastructure.
Starting from Bitcoin and Ethereum, blockchains (distributed ledgers) represent technical implementations of Web3 concept. Two elements are necessary for Web3.0: libraries are utilized to build decentralized applications (dApps) while wallets are actually accounts of Web3.0.
Wallets for Ethereum, Tron
For cryptocurrency users, wallets work like bank accounts. However, they have many more opportunities: in Web3, a wallet can be either password or passport, both key and lock. Cryptocurrency enthusiasts are sure that Web3 wallets will act as email addresses in the decentralized economy of the future.
Metamask, a go-to endpoint to Ethereum
Proposed in 2016 by leading Ethereum (ETH) development studio ConsenSys, Metamask wallet allows crypto users to interact with Ethereum and Ethereum-like blockchains (Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, and so on) via their browsers.
Metamask automatically creates a public address in Ethereum (starts with 0x..), so, its owner can start interacting with decentralized applications without setting up a ‘native’ Ethereum (ETH) wallet. Metamask, therefore, becomes a proxy between user and Ethereum.
As per late Q1, 2021, Metamask has 3 million monthly active users. Largely, it is used in the form of Google Chrome plugin. Starting from 2021, besides storage of tokens and private keys, Metamask wallets can browse through DEXes to find the best offer.
Tron wallets: Let a hundred flowers bloom
Unlike Ethereum (ETH), its most over-hyped competitor Tron doesn’t have a ‘main’ wallet. According to the Tron Network official website, 15 wallets including Trustwallet, Huobi Wallet and so on are recognized as credibleTron Wallets.
At the same time, TronLink and Klever are two most popular Tron-centric wallets. Both garnered a lot of attention from Tron’s community as they allow the store TRX coins and TRC-20 (Tron-native) tokens.
Libraries for Ethereum, Tron
Simply put, libraries represent collections of ‘routines’ (instruments for repeated actions) needed by software applications. Developers use them as a toolkit in their work: they allow them to write and run apps of various types.
In blockchain programming, specific purpose-made libraries are used for writing decentralized applications (dApps). It’s common for Ethereum and Tron developers to use Javascript libraries Web3.js and Tronweb.
Web3.js: frontpage of Ethereum for developers
As per its documentation, Web3.js is an Ethereum JavaScript API, i.e. a collection of modules required to interact with the Ethereum Web3 ecosystem. It allows developers to create dApps for Ethereum, and to connect to Swarm and Whisper encrypted messaging protocol.
Technically, Web3.js allows browsers and dApps to interact with both local or remote Ethereum nodes, using a HTTP or IPC connection.
Tronweb: a go-to way to access Tron nodes API
Just like many other elements of the Tron ecosystem and infrastructure, Tronweb closely mirrors Ethereum’s Web3.js in terms of design and usability. It is created to connect Tron-based dApps to Tron’s smart contracts.
According to Tron Foundation, Tronseb also has a unique set of features that allows to utilize dApps in the browser, Node.js and IoT devices.