The official JavaScript/TypeScript SDK (@solana/web3.js v1) for building Solana clients. Provides classes: Connection (RPC), PublicKey, Keypair, Transaction, SystemProgram, and more. Used for sending transactions, querying accounts, and subscribing to events. v1 uses a class-based API; v2 (@solana/kit) uses a functional, tree-shakeable design.
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The official JavaScript/TypeScript SDK (@solana/web3.js v1) for building Solana clients. Provides classes: Connection (RPC), PublicKey, Keypair, Transaction, SystemProgram, and more. Used for sending transactions, querying accounts, and subscribing to events. v1 uses a class-based API; v2 (@solana/kit) uses a functional, tree-shakeable design.
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Solana Web3.js (solana-web3js) Category: Developer Tools Definition: The official JavaScript/TypeScript SDK (@solana/web3.js v1) for building Solana clients. Provides classes: Connection (RPC), PublicKey, Keypair, Transaction, SystemProgram, and more. Used for sending transactions, querying accounts, and subscribing to events. v1 uses a class-based API; v2 (@solana/kit) uses a functional, tree-shakeable design. Aliases: @solana/web3.js Related: RPC (Remote Procedure Call), Transaction
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The JSON-RPC 2.0 protocol interface through which clients communicate with Solana nodes to query chain state, submit transactions, and subscribe to events. Solana exposes a rich set of HTTP and WebSocket endpoints (e.g., getAccountInfo, sendTransaction) that abstract direct peer-to-peer network participation, making RPC the primary integration point for wallets, dApps, and indexers.
An atomic unit of execution containing one or more instructions, a recent blockhash, and one or more signatures. All instructions in a transaction execute sequentially and atomically—if any instruction fails, the entire transaction reverts. Transactions have a 1,232-byte size limit (matching IPv6 MTU) and a default 200,000 CU budget.
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The next-generation Solana TypeScript SDK (@solana/kit, formerly @solana/web3.js v2) featuring a modular, functional API. Unlike v1's monolithic classes, v2 uses composable functions and tree-shaking for smaller bundles. Key changes: pipe-based transaction building, codec-based serialization, and native support for versioned transactions. Significantly smaller bundle size than v1.
The Rust crate (solana-sdk) providing types and utilities for building Solana clients and programs. For on-chain programs, use `solana-program` (no-std compatible subset). For off-chain clients, use `solana-sdk` (full features including keypair generation, transaction signing). The SDK includes types like Pubkey, Instruction, Transaction, and Account.
The official command-line tool for interacting with Solana clusters. Key commands: `solana balance`, `solana transfer`, `solana program deploy`, `solana config set --url`, `solana airdrop` (devnet). Configuration in `~/.config/solana/cli/config.yml` sets the default cluster URL and keypair path.
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The JSON-RPC 2.0 protocol interface through which clients communicate with Solana nodes to query chain state, submit transactions, and subscribe to events. Solana exposes a rich set of HTTP and WebSocket endpoints (e.g., getAccountInfo, sendTransaction) that abstract direct peer-to-peer network participation, making RPC the primary integration point for wallets, dApps, and indexers.
An atomic unit of execution containing one or more instructions, a recent blockhash, and one or more signatures. All instructions in a transaction execute sequentially and atomically—if any instruction fails, the entire transaction reverts. Transactions have a 1,232-byte size limit (matching IPv6 MTU) and a default 200,000 CU budget.
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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.
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.
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).
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).