Solana's 2023 in Review: A Year of Innovation and Growth

As we approach the end of 2023, the Solana ecosystem has much to celebrate. In the latest episode of the Solana Changelog, hosts Jacob Creech and Nick Frost dive into the year's highlights, discussing key developments, innovative tools, and the remarkable growth of the Solana developer community. This article examines the major talking points from their conversation, offering insights into Solana's progress and what lies ahead for this high-performance blockchain platform.

Recent Commits and Improvements

Enhanced Transaction Simulation

One of the recent commits highlighted in the changelog is an improvement to Solana's transaction simulation capabilities. This update allows developers to see compute unit usage for errored instructions during transaction simulation. Previously, this information was only available for successful instructions.

Jacob explains, "So previously, if you were to do a transaction simulation, you would get a bunch of information of your compute unit usage on your transaction, but not for aired instructions. So this is some additional improvements to the developer experience that we'll see at some point once it gets alive on mainnet."

This enhancement is a significant step forward in providing developers with more comprehensive feedback during the testing and debugging process. By having visibility into compute unit usage for both successful and failed instructions, developers can more effectively optimize their transactions and identify potential issues before deployment.

Disabling BPF Loader V1

Another noteworthy update discussed in the changelog is SIMD-0093, which proposes disabling the BPF (Berkeley Packet Filter) loader V1. Nick elaborates, "So it removes one of the instructions from it so that we can pay down a little bit of tech debt since we're on loader V4 now."

This change is part of Solana's ongoing efforts to streamline its codebase and improve overall network efficiency. By phasing out older, less-used components like the BPF loader V1, Solana can focus on maintaining and enhancing more current and widely-used features.

Jacob adds context to this update, saying, "Yeah, nobody else uses the V1 loader anymore. You're on the upgradeable on, I think that's what V2, there's V3, and the V4 eventually--" This comment underscores the importance of keeping the Solana ecosystem up-to-date and encouraging developers to use the latest tools and technologies available.

Project Yellowstone: Enhancing Solana's RPC Layer

One of the exciting developments highlighted in the changelog is Project Yellowstone, a collection of initiatives aimed at improving Solana's RPC (Remote Procedure Call) layer. Nick expresses his enthusiasm for this project, stating, "I'm always bullish on Triton and Project Yellowstone."

Project Yellowstone encompasses several subprojects, each addressing different aspects of Solana's infrastructure:

1. Old Faithful: This project focuses on putting the entire Solana ledger on IPFS (InterPlanetary File System), potentially improving data availability and redundancy.

2. Wirly Gig: This component significantly speeds up RPC connections and responses, which is particularly beneficial for applications requiring real-time updates, such as games.

Nick emphasizes the importance of these improvements, saying, "You've got Wirly Gig, which significantly speeds up RPC connections and responses, and there's some other ones and they should check them out. They're super cool."

The hosts also mention that Jonas, a member of their developer relations team, is particularly fond of Wirly Gig for game development. Jacob notes, "Yeah, 'cause it can quickly give you updates and with games, those quick updates are what matters. Getting the responses as fast as possible to the user."

These enhancements to Solana's RPC layer are crucial for improving the overall performance and user experience of applications built on the network. By reducing latency and increasing responsiveness, Project Yellowstone is helping to make Solana an even more attractive platform for developers, especially those working on performance-critical applications like games.

Explosive Growth in Solana's Developer Community

One of the most exciting developments in the Solana ecosystem this year has been the dramatic increase in developer adoption. Jacob and Nick share some impressive statistics that illustrate this growth.

Surge in New Developers

Jacob highlights the recent influx of new developers to the Solana ecosystem: "So in the past few months, we've seen a lot of people trying out Solana for the first time, learning about Solana and building the first application."

To quantify this growth, the hosts reference data from the Solana Stack Exchange, a platform where developers can ask and answer questions about Solana development. Jacob explains, "So what we're seeing is just early September, we're getting like 50 new years, we're just asking questions and needing help. Now we're seeing upwards of nearly 200 users every week."

This represents a staggering 300% increase in new users seeking help and information about Solana development. Such rapid growth is a strong indicator of the increasing interest in and adoption of Solana as a platform for building decentralized applications.

Supporting New Developers

With this surge in new developers, the Solana community is focusing on providing resources and support to help onboard these newcomers. Jacob encourages experienced members of the community to contribute: "So if you're out there and you want to help out, you can try by creating your own content about Solana. For example, if you want to write something about Solana write about how turbine works, write about how to do Hello World, go for it. This is how you can help out."

This call to action highlights the collaborative nature of the Solana ecosystem and the importance of community-driven education and support in fostering continued growth.

Pirate Bootcamp: A Comprehensive Learning Resource

To support the influx of new developers, the Solana team has created the Pirate Bootcamp, a self-serve educational resource designed to guide developers through the process of learning Solana development.

Jacob describes the bootcamp: "So in the past year, we created this boot camp and it's self-serve. Anybody can go through each of the quests and learn how to be a Solana developer."

The bootcamp is structured as a series of "quests," each focusing on different aspects of Solana development. This gamified approach to learning can make the process more engaging and enjoyable for newcomers.

Nick adds, "Yeah, and we've actually got the entirety of the boot camp recorded on the Solana Foundation YouTube channel and we'll have the link for that in the show notes as well."

The availability of both written and video content ensures that developers with different learning preferences can benefit from the bootcamp. This comprehensive approach to education is likely to play a significant role in maintaining the momentum of Solana's developer growth.

State Compression: A Game-Changer for NFTs

One of the most significant innovations in the Solana ecosystem this year has been the introduction of state compression, particularly its application to NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens).

What is State Compression?

State compression is a technique that allows for more efficient storage and processing of data on the Solana blockchain. In the context of NFTs, it has revolutionized the way these digital assets are created and managed on the network.

Nick explains the impact of this innovation: "We've got compressed NFTs, we've got state compression. It's been live on mainnet for almost the entire year now. And if you don't already know, compressed NFTs significantly reduced the cost of creating NFTs on Solana, you still get the full security and validation through consensus of minting NFTs and everything. But it drastically reduces the cost."

Benefits of Compressed NFTs

The introduction of compressed NFTs has several key benefits:

1. Cost Reduction: By significantly lowering the cost of minting NFTs, state compression makes it more accessible for creators and projects to launch NFT collections on Solana.

2. Scalability: The reduced storage requirements allow for larger NFT collections to be created and managed efficiently on the network.

3. Maintained Security: Despite the compression, these NFTs still benefit from the full security and validation processes of the Solana network.

Compressed.app: Exploring the Potential

To help developers and users understand the impact of state compression, the Solana team has created a tool called Compressed.app. Nick recommends this resource: "You can check out compressed.app and you can actually kind of tinker with some of the parameters to figure out the differences in costs and whatnot."

This tool allows users to experiment with different parameters and see how they affect the cost and efficiency of creating compressed NFTs. It's an excellent resource for both developers planning NFT projects and users interested in understanding the technology behind these innovations.

Future Potential of State Compression

While the current focus has been on NFTs, both hosts express excitement about the future potential of state compression. Jacob notes, "Yeah, I really hope that in the new year 2024, we see more use cases of generalized state compression. Because that's like the new frontier that you are the next level on top of this. Looking forward to that."

This comment hints at the broader applications of state compression beyond NFTs. As developers explore new ways to leverage this technology, we may see innovative uses in various types of decentralized applications, potentially leading to more efficient and cost-effective solutions across the Solana ecosystem.

Bankrun: Revolutionizing Solana Testing

One of the standout developer tools highlighted in the changelog is Bankrun, created by a developer named Kevin. This innovative testing framework addresses some of the key challenges faced by Solana developers when writing and running tests for their programs.

Traditional Testing Challenges

Jacob explains the limitations of traditional testing methods: "So for people that don't know, whenever you're writing tests for say, anchor, a lot of the tests that were previously done were using MochaTest. So you're actually sending basically API calls to a test value that you spin up. And it's very slow because you have to wait for the test validators to spin up. You have to go through all the API calls. You have to receive the responses. It takes a while."

This process can be time-consuming, especially for large projects with extensive test suites. The need to spin up full test validators and wait for API responses can significantly slow down the development and testing cycle.

How Bankrun Works

Bankrun takes a different approach to testing Solana programs. Jacob describes its functionality: "So Bankrun and what it does is it actually just uses a bank from a Solana Test Validator. So you don't actually have to spin up the full test validator and you can test out your transactions on your programs."

By using just the bank component of a Solana Test Validator, Bankrun allows developers to run tests much more quickly and efficiently. This approach eliminates the need for full validator initialization and API communication, focusing solely on the essential components required for transaction testing.

Performance Improvements

The performance gains from using Bankrun are substantial. Jacob notes, "So this dramatically improves the speeds that you can run tests and try out your different instructions on your program. So you see, I think it's like a 10x decrease of time taken per test."

A tenfold reduction in testing time is a significant improvement that can have a major impact on developer productivity. Faster test runs allow for more frequent testing, quicker iteration cycles, and ultimately, more robust and well-tested Solana programs.

Adoption by Key Projects

The effectiveness of Bankrun has led to its adoption by major projects within the Solana ecosystem. Jacob mentions, "It was so great that I think web3.js, the JavaScript library that everybody uses to develop on Solana, switched all of their tests to Bankrun, which is funny, from the original MochaTest they had."

The adoption of Bankrun by web3.js, a core library in the Solana development stack, is a strong endorsement of its capabilities. This move is likely to encourage more developers and projects to consider incorporating Bankrun into their testing workflows.

Impact on Solana Development

The introduction and adoption of tools like Bankrun play a crucial role in improving the overall developer experience on Solana. By streamlining the testing process, Bankrun allows developers to iterate more quickly, catch and fix issues faster, and ultimately deliver more reliable and efficient Solana programs.

Jacob summarizes the impact of Bankrun: "So this is really great for Solana development. It gets us iterating a lot faster." This increased speed of iteration is key to fostering innovation and maintaining Solana's position as a leading platform for blockchain development.

As more developers discover and adopt Bankrun, we can expect to see continued improvements in the quality and efficiency of Solana program development. This tool represents just one example of the ongoing efforts within the Solana ecosystem to enhance developer tools and streamline the development process.

Sign in with Solana: Enhancing User Authentication

Another notable innovation discussed in the changelog is the "Sign in with Solana" specification. This new authentication standard aims to improve the user experience when interacting with Solana-based applications and services.

Traditional Wallet Authentication

Traditionally, many blockchain applications have used a "sign a message" approach for user authentication. This method requires users to sign a message with their wallet to prove ownership and gain access to a service or dApp.

The Sign in with Solana Specification

Nick explains how the new specification builds upon and improves this concept: "It takes the typical concept of sign a message to actually authenticate and prove that you own a wallet, that way you can log into some sort of service or dApp or whatever. And the sign in with Solana spec takes that to the next level."

The key innovation of this specification is the standardization of the data that users sign. Nick elaborates, "It basically creates a standard for the data that the user's gonna sign. And because it has this standard, it has things like the domain name, a standard message and some configurable parameters."

Benefits of Standardization

This standardization brings several benefits:

1. Improved User Interface: Nick notes, "Because there's a data standard, it makes it so wallets can actually display a really nice user interface for the users." This means that wallet applications can provide a more intuitive and user-friendly authentication experience.

2. Reduced Friction: The standardized approach allows for a more streamlined authentication process. Nick mentions, "And then it can also remove a couple of clicks, a couple of friction points for a lot of applications and users."

3. Enhanced Security: By including standardized elements like domain names in the signed message, the specification helps protect users against potential phishing attacks or malicious sites impersonating legitimate services.

Real-World Implementation

The "Sign in with Solana" specification is already being implemented in real-world applications. Nick mentions, "You can test it out in Drip, TriPazzet Live, they've had it live since, I think day one of signing with Solana."

This early adoption by live applications demonstrates the practicality and value of the specification. As more services implement this standard, users can expect a more consistent and secure authentication experience across the Solana ecosystem.

Impact on User Experience

The introduction of the "Sign in with Solana" specification represents a significant step forward in improving the overall user experience for Solana-based applications. By simplifying the authentication process and making it more intuitive, this standard helps to lower the barrier to entry for new users and enhances the experience for existing ones.

Nick summarizes the impact: "And I don't know, it's just like a really cool spec. And easing some developer UX and user friction points across the ecosystem."

As the Solana ecosystem continues to grow and attract more users, innovations like the "Sign in with Solana" specification play a crucial role in making the platform more accessible and user-friendly. This focus on improving user experience is essential for driving wider adoption of Solana-based applications and services.

Looking Ahead to 2024

As the hosts wrap up their discussion of 2023's highlights, they turn their attention to the future, expressing excitement about what 2024 might bring for the Solana ecosystem.

Expanding State Compression

One area of particular interest is the further development and application of state compression technology. Jacob shares his hopes for the coming year: "Yeah, I really hope that in the new year 2024, we see more use cases of generalized state compression. Because that's like the new frontier that you are the next level on top of this. Looking forward to that."

This comment suggests that while state compression has already made a significant impact in the realm of NFTs, there's potential for even broader applications. Developers and researchers may explore ways to apply this technology to other aspects of blockchain data management, potentially leading to new efficiencies and capabilities across various types of decentralized applications.

Continued Focus on User Experience

The discussion of innovations like the "Sign in with Solana" specification highlights an ongoing commitment to improving user experience within the Solana ecosystem. Jacob emphasizes this point, saying, "Anything that can make user experience better on Solana and make it easier to build on Solana, completely bullish on it."

This focus on user experience is likely to remain a key priority in 2024. We can expect to see continued efforts to streamline interactions with Solana-based applications, reduce friction points, and make the platform more accessible to a wider audience.

Developer Tools and Resources

Given the significant growth in Solana's developer community over the past year, it's reasonable to expect continued investment in developer tools and resources in 2024. The success of tools like Bankrun and educational initiatives like the Pirate Bootcamp demonstrates the value of these efforts.

We may see further refinements to existing tools, the introduction of new development frameworks, and expanded educational resources to support the growing developer ecosystem.

Ecosystem Expansion

With the foundation laid in 2023, 2024 could see an explosion of new applications and use cases built on Solana. The combination of improved developer tools, more efficient data management through state compression, and a growing pool of skilled developers sets the stage for innovative projects across various sectors.

Performance and Scalability Enhancements

While not explicitly mentioned in the changelog discussion, it's likely that work will continue on improving Solana's core performance and scalability. As the network attracts more users and applications, maintaining and enhancing Solana's high-performance capabilities will remain crucial.

Community Growth and Engagement

The rapid growth of the developer community in 2023 is likely to have a compounding effect in 2024. As more developers become proficient in building on Solana, we can expect to see increased community-driven innovation, more collaborative projects, and a richer ecosystem of applications and services.

Conclusion: A Year of Growth and Innovation

As we reflect on the highlights of 2023 for the Solana ecosystem, it's clear that this has been a year of significant progress and innovation. From the introduction of state compression and its impact on NFTs to the development of powerful tools like Bankrun and the "Sign in with Solana" specification, Solana has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible in blockchain technology.

The explosive growth in the developer community is perhaps the most exciting trend, as it sets the stage for even greater innovation and expansion in the coming year. With a larger, more diverse group of developers building on Solana, we can expect to see a wealth of new applications, use cases, and technological advancements in 2024.

Jacob and Nick's enthusiasm for the future is palpable as they conclude the changelog. Jacob states, "So we hope to see all the new year and see what we can build in the new year on 2024." This sentiment encapsulates the forward-looking, innovative spirit that has driven Solana's success thus far and promises to propel it to new heights in the coming year.

As we look ahead to 2024, the Solana ecosystem appears poised for continued growth and innovation. With a strong foundation of technology, a thriving developer community, and a commitment to improving user experience, Solana is well-positioned to play a leading role in shaping the future of blockchain technology and decentralized applications.

Facts + Figures

• Solana has seen a 300% increase in new developers seeking help on the Solana Stack Exchange, from about 50 new users per week in early September to nearly 200 per week by December 2023.

• The Pirate Bootcamp, a comprehensive self-serve educational resource for Solana developers, was created in 2023 and is available both in written form and as a video series on the Solana Foundation YouTube channel.

• State compression for NFTs has been live on Solana mainnet for almost the entire year of 2023, significantly reducing the cost of creating NFTs while maintaining full security and validation through consensus.

• Bankrun, a new testing framework for Solana, has achieved a 10x decrease in time taken per test compared to traditional testing methods using MochaTest.

• The web3.js library, a core component for Solana development, has switched all of its tests to Bankrun from the original MochaTest.

• The "Sign in with Solana" specification standardizes the authentication process for Solana-based applications, improving user experience and security.

• Project Yellowstone, a collection of initiatives aimed at improving Solana's RPC layer, includes subprojects like Old Faithful (putting the Solana ledger on IPFS) and Wirly Gig (speeding up RPC connections and responses).

• SIMD-0093 proposes disabling the BPF loader V1, as part of Solana's effort to streamline its codebase and improve network efficiency.

• A recent commit enhances Solana's transaction simulation capabilities, allowing developers to see compute unit usage for errored instructions during simulation.

• The Solana ecosystem is looking forward to exploring more use cases for generalized state compression in 2024, beyond its current application in NFTs.

Questions Answered

What major innovations did Solana see in 2023?

Solana experienced several significant innovations in 2023, with state compression being one of the most impactful. This technology, particularly its application to NFTs, dramatically reduced the cost of creating and managing NFTs on the network while maintaining full security and validation. Other key innovations included the development of Bankrun, a testing framework that significantly speeds up the testing process for Solana programs, and the introduction of the "Sign in with Solana" specification, which standardizes and improves the user authentication process for Solana-based applications.

How has Solana's developer community grown in 2023?

The Solana developer community has seen explosive growth in 2023. Data from the Solana Stack Exchange shows a 300% increase in new users seeking help and information about Solana development. In early September, the platform was seeing about 50 new users per week, which grew to nearly 200 new users per week by December. This rapid growth indicates a surge in interest in Solana development and suggests a bright future for the ecosystem as more developers bring their skills and ideas to the platform.

What is Project Yellowstone and how does it benefit Solana?

Project Yellowstone is a collection of initiatives aimed at improving Solana's RPC (Remote Procedure Call) layer. It includes several subprojects, each addressing different aspects of Solana's infrastructure. For example, Old Faithful focuses on putting the entire Solana ledger on IPFS, potentially improving data availability and redundancy. Another component, Wirly Gig, significantly speeds up RPC connections and responses, which is particularly beneficial for applications requiring real-time updates, such as games. These improvements enhance the overall performance and user experience of applications built on the Solana network.

What is Bankrun and how does it improve Solana development?

Bankrun is an innovative testing framework created for Solana development. Unlike traditional testing methods that require spinning up full test validators and waiting for API responses, Bankrun uses only the bank component of a Solana Test Validator. This approach allows developers to run tests much more quickly and efficiently, with reports of a 10x decrease in time taken per test. The increased speed of testing enables faster iteration cycles, more frequent testing, and ultimately, the development of more robust and well-tested Solana programs. Its effectiveness has led to adoption by major projects, including the web3.js library.

What is the "Sign in with Solana" specification and why is it important?

The "Sign in with Solana" specification is a new authentication standard for Solana-based applications. It improves upon the traditional "sign a message" approach by standardizing the data that users sign during authentication. This standardization allows wallet applications to provide a more intuitive and user-friendly authentication experience, reduces friction in the login process, and enhances security by including elements like domain names in the signed message. The specification is already being implemented in real-world applications, demonstrating its practicality and value in improving the overall user experience for Solana-based services.