Programming Fundamentals

Encryption

The process of converting plaintext data into ciphertext that can only be read with the correct decryption key. Symmetric encryption (AES) uses one key for both operations. Asymmetric encryption (RSA, ECIES) uses public/private key pairs. On Solana, encryption is used in confidential transfers (Twisted ElGamal), off-chain communication, and wallet security.

IDencryption

Plain meaning

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The process of converting plaintext data into ciphertext that can only be read with the correct decryption key. Symmetric encryption (AES) uses one key for both operations. Asymmetric encryption (RSA, ECIES) uses public/private key pairs. On Solana, encryption is used in confidential transfers (Twisted ElGamal), off-chain communication, and wallet security.

Mental model

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Technical context

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Encryption (encryption)
Category: Programming Fundamentals
Definition: The process of converting plaintext data into ciphertext that can only be read with the correct decryption key. Symmetric encryption (AES) uses one key for both operations. Asymmetric encryption (RSA, ECIES) uses public/private key pairs. On Solana, encryption is used in confidential transfers (Twisted ElGamal), off-chain communication, and wallet security.
Related: Ed25519, Confidential Transfers
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Concept graph

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Branch

Ed25519

The elliptic curve digital signature algorithm used by Solana for all transaction signing. Ed25519 uses Curve25519 and produces 64-byte signatures with 32-byte public keys. Solana also provides an Ed25519 precompile program for on-chain signature verification within program logic.

Branch

Confidential Transfers

A Token-2022 extension that uses zero-knowledge proofs (Twisted ElGamal encryption over Ristretto255) to hide transfer amounts while keeping the token mint and accounts public. Balances are stored in encrypted form with separate 'pending' and 'available' pools. The account owner can decrypt their balance but others cannot see amounts.

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Programming Model

Ed25519

The elliptic curve digital signature algorithm used by Solana for all transaction signing. Ed25519 uses Curve25519 and produces 64-byte signatures with 32-byte public keys. Solana also provides an Ed25519 precompile program for on-chain signature verification within program logic.

Token Ecosystem

Confidential Transfers

A Token-2022 extension that uses zero-knowledge proofs (Twisted ElGamal encryption over Ristretto255) to hide transfer amounts while keeping the token mint and accounts public. Balances are stored in encrypted form with separate 'pending' and 'available' pools. The account owner can decrypt their balance but others cannot see amounts.

Programming Fundamentals

Event-Driven Architecture

A software design pattern where the flow of the program is determined by events (state changes, messages, user actions). In Solana dApps: WebSocket subscriptions trigger callbacks on account changes, Anchor events (emit!) notify clients of on-chain state transitions, and transaction logs are parsed for event data. Enables reactive, real-time user interfaces.

Programming Fundamentals

ELF Binary

Executable and Linkable Format — the binary format used for deployed Solana programs. Rust source code is compiled via cargo-build-sbf into an SBF-targeted ELF binary (.so file) that the Solana runtime loads and executes. The ELF format contains the program's compiled bytecode, symbol tables, and relocation information. ELF binaries are uploaded to buffer accounts during deployment and then written to the program data account.

Related terms

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Programming Modeled25519

Ed25519

The elliptic curve digital signature algorithm used by Solana for all transaction signing. Ed25519 uses Curve25519 and produces 64-byte signatures with 32-byte public keys. Solana also provides an Ed25519 precompile program for on-chain signature verification within program logic.

Token Ecosystemconfidential-transfers

Confidential Transfers

A Token-2022 extension that uses zero-knowledge proofs (Twisted ElGamal encryption over Ristretto255) to hide transfer amounts while keeping the token mint and accounts public. Balances are stored in encrypted form with separate 'pending' and 'available' pools. The account owner can decrypt their balance but others cannot see amounts.

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Programming Fundamentals

Rust

A systems programming language emphasizing memory safety, zero-cost abstractions, and concurrency without a garbage collector. Rust uses an ownership model with borrow checking at compile time to prevent data races and null pointer bugs. It is the primary language for Solana program development (via Anchor or native solana-program crate) and the Agave validator client.

Programming Fundamentals

TypeScript

A statically typed superset of JavaScript that compiles to plain JavaScript. TypeScript adds type annotations, interfaces, generics, and enums to catch errors at compile time. It is the standard language for Solana client-side development—wallet adapters, dApp frontends, test suites, and SDK interactions (web3.js, Anchor client) are typically written in TypeScript.

Programming Fundamentals

JavaScript

The ubiquitous scripting language for web development, running in browsers and Node.js. JavaScript is dynamically typed and event-driven. Most Solana dApp frontends and scripts use JavaScript/TypeScript with libraries like @solana/web3.js. Node.js enables server-side JS for backend services, indexers, and bot development.

Programming Fundamentals

Node.js

A JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 engine that enables server-side JavaScript execution. Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model. In the Solana ecosystem, Node.js is used for: running Anchor tests (Mocha/Jest), backend services, transaction bots, indexers, and CLI tools. npm/yarn/pnpm manage JavaScript package dependencies.