This page may contain legacy content

To get our most up-to-date content please access our documentation

September 8, 2021

Exploring Moralis’ SDK – The Ultimate Web3 SDK

Table of Contents

Whether you are an experienced programmer or just getting started, you will likely know that one of the hottest trends out there is Web3 development. Thus, dipping your feet into Web3 development and becoming a blockchain developer is undoubtedly the way to go. Moreover, while blockchain technology is already disrupting a wide range of industries, it’s just getting started. From finance, supply chains, gaming, digital ownership, and much more, this technology is bringing decentralization to users, eliminating middlemen in the process. As such, developers are increasingly looking to take part in this next paradigm shift. Equipping yourself with the right tools can speed up both your learning curve, and the speed with which you can build dApps. Read on to learn all you need to know about the Moralis SDK, and why it’s your best tool in Web3 development!

With just a few lines of code, you can utilize the Moralis SDK and take advantage of its prebuilt backend infrastructure and countless functionality. Moralis makes the otherwise tedious and time-consuming Web3 backend development uncomplicated and straightforward. Moreover, it makes things so easy that you can start creating excellent dApps only with your JavaScript skills. Furthermore, this in combination with knowing how to use MetaMask allows you to quickly deploy impressive projects. Furthermore, you might know how the demand for Web3 developers is outstripping supply. With the Moralis SDK, you can become a Web3 developer in no-time. Aside from top-quality end products and fast deliverability, there’s one more thing making Moralis’ SDK the premier choice – it’s free to use. So, create your account today and kickstart your blockchain development! 

What is an SDK?

Before exploring the Moralis SDK and why it’s the most desirable option in comparison with other Web3 SDKs, we need to cover some basics. Let’s start by answering the question, “what is an SDK?”. In case you don’t know yet, SDK stands for “Software Development Kit”. You’ll often also hear the word “devkit” being used, which means the same thing. SDK refers to a set of tools or items (a kit) that particular software development requires. This includes the kit pieces, assembly instructions, the tools needed to put the pieces together, etc. 

Essentially, a proper SDK provides a developer with a set of tools, libraries, code samples, processes, relevant documentation, and specific guidelines. All of which enables developers to create software applications (dApps in our case) on a specific platform.

Furthermore, SDKs are essentially the origination sources for basically every program a user interacts with. This includes web browsers to video games, and more or less everything in between. 

What is an API?

We know that you are eager to learn more details about the Moralis SDK; however, based on our experience, there is a lot of confusion among beginners when it comes to APIs and SDKs. Many people tend to mix up those two concepts. Thus, let’s make sure that we all know the difference between APIs and SDKs. Since we’ve covered what an SDK is, it’s time to focus on what an API is.

API stands for “Application Programming Interface”. An API is an interface that enables software to interact with other pieces of software. It enables different instruction sets to be translated or transferred for mutual understanding. Furthermore, APIs allow for consistency (or consistent coding) in a stable environment. That way, all replicable functions can be delivered consistently and with predictability on every request.

For instance, a simple piece of software, such as a browser, uses various API sets. That way, it converts users’ commands into functions, requests data from servers, renders that data into a proper format for the user, validates the performance of their requests, and much more. Web APIs have a slightly different function – they allow for interaction among disparate systems, typically for specific use cases. A web API is essentially a set of instructions (just like the PC API); however, it’s based in the web sphere. For example, you may be familiar with the Moralis NFT API, which allows you to create an NFT game in mere minutes.

API vs SDK

Put simply, SDKs are superior to APIs. What’s interesting, though, is that an SDK often contains APIs. A good analogy is offered by looking at squares and rectangles. You surely know that the concept of “rectangles” can include both rectangles and squares, while “squares” only include squares. In this case, SDKs are rectangles and APIs squares. As such, every time an SDK is used to create an app that has to communicate with other apps, it surely includes an API for that purpose. In case you’re not much of a geometry fan, you can view the SDK as the house and all of its content, while the APIs are the telephone lines allowing for communication in and out of the house.

The Moralis’ SDK – the Ultimate Web3 SDK

Blockchain-based technologies could well represent the next digital paradigm shift, and is finding its way into a growing number of companies. In fact, this disruptive and world-changing tech is taking over the world at an incredible pace. As such, every Web3 developer is highly sought-after. 

Unfortunately, the majority of dApp developers take the complicated and difficult road by trying to reinvent the wheel. They usually make the mistake of starting by connecting to an RPC node. Sadly, they don’t know that RPC nodes are primitive, low-level tech, with horrible databases that can’t do filtering nor aggregation. Moreover, building the infrastructure around an RPC node requires a massive codebase. This makes things highly complicated and extremely time-consuming. Not to mention that the results (or end products) typically aren’t great either. 

Fortunately, you came to the right place. By learning about Moralis’ SDK, the leading Web3 SDK, you’ll be able to “fly on the wings” provided by the developers behind Moralis. Moreover, the Moralis SDK solves the tedious backend coding with its plug-and-play functionality. The goal of Moralis is to make Web3 development as simple as possible, like offering functionality with a single line of code. The tech for building great dApps is already here – what’s missing is capable tools to take advantage of the tech. This is where Moralis comes in. 

The Moralis SDK – What Every dApp Needs

When developing dApps, there are certain functionalities that most dApps require. These include the following:

  • Logging in users. 
  • Fetching balances (coins, NFTs, tokens).
  • Fetch transactions.
  • Fetching smart contract events.
  • Delivering real-time alerts.
  • Building some sort of index to change and build the database on on-chain events.
  • Sending transactions.
  • Interacting with smart contracts.

Of course, there are many other functionalities available. However, the listed ones properly summarize about 90% or more used in dApps. Why 90%? Well, most dApp developers that take the conventional path of reinventing the wheel (as explained previously) spend over 90% of their time implementing the functionalities mentioned above.

So, how would you like to cut out the vast majority of your development time? Well, by using the right tools, you can. As such, you get to finish your Web3 applications markedly quicker and also deliver a much better user experience since you can focus basically all of your attention and resources on creating a stunning frontend. This resource-saving aspect is where the real power of Moralis’ SDK shines. Thus, you see why it is one of the premier Web3 SDKs. In case you need some more info about the Moralis SDK and why it’s the best Web3 SDK, make sure to watch the following video: 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/txHnWDRB728

Getting Going with the Moralis Web3 SDK

In case you’re familiar with Firebase, you can think of Moralis’ SDK as the “Firebase of crypto”. To start using this excellent Web3 SDK is exceedingly simple. Of course, you must first create your free account at moralis.io to gain access to its full functionality. Then you basically just launch a Moralis server and initialize the Moralis SDK in your app. That way, you’ll have all of the features mentioned in the previous section already built-in. 

For instance, to log in users, you’ll need this single line of code:

On top of this simplicity, you also get access to Moralis’ server database, which gives you access to useful information regarding the users of your applications. This includes their token balances, transactions, NFT balances, and much more. As such, using a single line of code gives insight into all you need to know about the user. To get a better understanding of this, please look at the screenshot of the Moralis dashboard below. Another noteworthy functionality is that the Moralis server database is automatically updated in real-time. This means that any change made by the user to their balances will instantly be reflected. Now, is that amazing or what?

Moralis SDK Code Examples

Here are some additional examples of common Moralis SDK code that enable you to read the information about the user from the database:

  • Getting transactions:
  • Get MATIC/BNB balance:
  • Viewing ERC-20 balances:
  • Finding NFT balances:

These are just some common examples. In reality, you can do any sort of queries you want (such as filtering, sorting, etc.). Up to this point, we’ve presented you with only five lines of code. Combining these lines of code is basically all you need to create a wallet. What would otherwise take about a month of coding, we just did with five lines of code in a matter of minutes. That’s the power of the ultimate Web3 SDK, the power you can use for free.

To view some additional examples of Moralis’ strength and its “one-line-of-code” convenience, make sure to watch the video above. In that video, you’ll discover more about indexing smart contract events and sending assets. Moreover, if you’re ready to start building and need additional guidance or inspiration, jump over to Moralis’ YouTube channel. There you can find a ton of valuable content, and we add new videos regularly. 

Web3 SDK with a Fabulous Documentation

If you have any experience with programming, you’ve surely dealt with some sort of documentation files. Moreover, you’ll know that documentation files can easily overwhelm most. Well, Moralis has one of the neatest, cleanest, and well-organized documentation you’ve ever encountered. That way, it’s even easier to use the Moralis SDK. 

By using the Moralis documentation, you will be able to learn how to use this powerful Web3 SDK to its maximum potential fast and get easy access to all lines of code to use these for your projects.

In case you’re still not sure if Moralis is the tool you can’t afford to miss out on, make sure to check out this guide on how to build a simple dApp in three minutes using the power of Moralis SDK. 

Constantly Updated Web3 SDK

While you will be able to use the power of Moralis’ Web3 SDK and fully focus on creating an impressive frontend, there will be a constantly growing team of experts ensuring that the backend aspects work perfectly. This includes regular updates that seek to offer the most up-to-date solutions, new chain integrations, further simplified use, and much more. Make sure to check out the details of the latest big Moralis SDK update here. It shows a couple of great examples of the power Moralis’ Web3 SDK provides.

Web3 SDK with Cross-Chain Operability

Another amazing feature of the Moralis SDK is its cross-chain operability. This means that Moralis syncs all chains by default. For instance, if you were to develop a dApp in the “old-fashioned” way, you’d basically need to start from scratch in case you wanted to switch to another blockchain in the future. However, when using Moralis’ spectacular Web3 SDK, all added chains are included. That way, a transition from one chain to another is seamless, which also ensures that your dApps are future-proof without any changes required on your end. 

Moralis already works with the following networks: ETH, BSC, Polygon, Arbitrum, and Avalanche. However, other networks are also coming soon. This shows that Moralis is truly built with native cross-chain compatibility in mind, which is why Ethereum development and BSC development on Moralis is so seamless.


The Ultimate Web3 SDK – Summary

If this was your first time learning about Moralis and its powerful SDK, you must be highly excited and eager to start using it. You now know that by using the Moralis SDK, you can cut out about 90% of the backend work. As such, you can cover all the aspects that most dApps need by simply copying and pasting single lines of code. Moreover, you also know that Moralis offers excellent documentation, regular updates, plugins, and cross-chain operability. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, you’ve also learned that you can create your Moralis account for free.

We’re really happy for you and your upcoming success with dApp development. Whether by chance or thanks to your research skills, you’ve landed on this article for a reason – to advance your Web3 development. Throughout the sections above, you’ve been given all you need to access a powerful platform that provides you with a Web3 SDK to jumpstart your involvement in the blockchain industry. Moreover, make sure to use the strength of our community and incredible support by joining Moralis’ Discord channel. We look forward to seeing your upcoming Web3 applications! 

Market Data API
Build amazing trading and portfolio dapps with this Market Data API. Keep users engaged with up-to-date data!
Market Data API
Related Articles
January 31, 2023

Notify API Alternatives – Easiest Way to Set Up Web3 Notifications

February 15, 2024

Comparing the Industry’s Leading Web3 API Providers – Moralis vs. Alchemy vs. QuickNode

September 27, 2023

What is an Ethereum Node and How to Set One Up

November 20, 2022

NFT Collection Data – How to Get NFT Collection Data

December 23, 2022

The Best Token Price API in 2023 for Dapp Developers

January 24, 2024

Understand Why Crypto is Up Or Down with a Crypto Price Movement API

December 20, 2023

What is the Data Availability Layer in Crypto?

December 7, 2023

Which is the Best Crypto Exchange API for Web3 Developers?