Developer Tools

cargo-build-sbf

The Cargo subcommand that compiles Rust programs to Solana Bytecode Format (SBF). It invokes the Solana-specific LLVM toolchain (platform-tools) to produce an ELF binary deployable on-chain. Replaces the older `cargo build-bpf`. Typically invoked via `anchor build` which calls it internally. Output goes to `target/deploy/<name>.so`.

IDcargo-build-sbfAliascargo build-sbfAliascargo build-bpf

Plain meaning

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The Cargo subcommand that compiles Rust programs to Solana Bytecode Format (SBF). It invokes the Solana-specific LLVM toolchain (platform-tools) to produce an ELF binary deployable on-chain. Replaces the older `cargo build-bpf`. Typically invoked via `anchor build` which calls it internally. Output goes to `target/deploy/<name>.so`.

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cargo-build-sbf (cargo-build-sbf)
Category: Developer Tools
Definition: The Cargo subcommand that compiles Rust programs to Solana Bytecode Format (SBF). It invokes the Solana-specific LLVM toolchain (platform-tools) to produce an ELF binary deployable on-chain. Replaces the older `cargo build-bpf`. Typically invoked via `anchor build` which calls it internally. Output goes to `target/deploy/<name>.so`.
Aliases: cargo build-sbf, cargo build-bpf
Related: SBF (Solana Bytecode Format), Program
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Branch

SBF (Solana Bytecode Format)

Solana Bytecode Format—Solana's customized evolution of BPF. SBF adds Solana-specific syscalls, modifies calling conventions, disables certain eBPF instructions, and adds features like position-independent code. Programs are compiled with `cargo build-sbf` and deployed as SBF ELF binaries. SBF replaced BPF as the canonical bytecode format.

Branch

Program

Executable code deployed on-chain, equivalent to a smart contract on other blockchains. Programs are stateless—they store no data themselves but read/write data in separate accounts they own. Programs are compiled to SBF bytecode and loaded via the BPF Loader. Every program has a unique Program ID (its account's public key).

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Core Protocol

SBF (Solana Bytecode Format)

Solana Bytecode Format—Solana's customized evolution of BPF. SBF adds Solana-specific syscalls, modifies calling conventions, disables certain eBPF instructions, and adds features like position-independent code. Programs are compiled with `cargo build-sbf` and deployed as SBF ELF binaries. SBF replaced BPF as the canonical bytecode format.

Programming Model

Program

Executable code deployed on-chain, equivalent to a smart contract on other blockchains. Programs are stateless—they store no data themselves but read/write data in separate accounts they own. Programs are compiled to SBF bytecode and loaded via the BPF Loader. Every program has a unique Program ID (its account's public key).

Developer Tools

Codama

A code generation toolchain that takes a Solana program's IDL and generates fully-typed client SDKs in multiple languages. Codama processes IDLs produced by Shank or Anchor and emits TypeScript clients. It is the successor of the Kinobi project and is commonly used in the Pinocchio + Shank + Codama workflow for native Solana program development.

Developer Tools

Bolt (ECS Framework)

An Entity Component System (ECS) framework by MagicBlock for building on-chain games on Solana. Bolt separates game data (Components stored in accounts) from logic (Systems as programs). This modular architecture enables composable, upgradeable game logic where different programs can operate on shared game state.

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Core Protocolsbf

SBF (Solana Bytecode Format)

Solana Bytecode Format—Solana's customized evolution of BPF. SBF adds Solana-specific syscalls, modifies calling conventions, disables certain eBPF instructions, and adds features like position-independent code. Programs are compiled with `cargo build-sbf` and deployed as SBF ELF binaries. SBF replaced BPF as the canonical bytecode format.

Programming Modelprogram

Program

Executable code deployed on-chain, equivalent to a smart contract on other blockchains. Programs are stateless—they store no data themselves but read/write data in separate accounts they own. Programs are compiled to SBF bytecode and loaded via the BPF Loader. Every program has a unique Program ID (its account's public key).

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Developer Tools

Anchor Framework

The most popular framework for building Solana programs in Rust. Anchor provides macros (#[program], #[account], #[derive(Accounts)]) that auto-generate boilerplate for account validation, serialization, discriminators, and error handling. It includes a CLI (anchor init/build/test/deploy), IDL generation, and TypeScript client generation. Reduces program code by ~80% compared to native development.

Developer Tools

#[account] Macro (Anchor)

The Anchor macro applied to structs to define on-chain account data layouts. `#[account]` auto-derives Borsh serialization, adds an 8-byte discriminator prefix (SHA-256 of 'account:<Name>'), and implements space calculation. Optional attributes: `#[account(zero_copy)]` for zero-copy deserialization of large accounts.

Developer Tools

#[derive(Accounts)] (Anchor)

The Anchor macro that defines the accounts struct for an instruction. Each field specifies an account with validation constraints. Account types include: `Account<'info, T>` (deserialized), `Signer<'info>` (must sign), `Program<'info, T>` (program reference), `SystemAccount<'info>`, and `UncheckedAccount<'info>` (no validation, use carefully).

Developer Tools

Anchor Constraints

Declarative validation rules on Anchor account fields. Key constraints: `#[account(mut)]` (writable), `#[account(init, payer=x, space=n)]` (create), `#[account(seeds=[...], bump)]` (PDA validation), `#[account(has_one=field)]` (field equality), `#[account(constraint = expr)]` (custom boolean), `#[account(close=target)]` (close and reclaim rent).