web3.py
A python interface for interacting with the Ethereum blockchain and ecosystem.
Top Related Projects
Collection of comprehensive TypeScript libraries for Interaction with the Ethereum JSON RPC API and utility functions.
Complete Ethereum library and wallet implementation in JavaScript.
Lightweight Java and Android library for integration with Ethereum clients
OpenZeppelin Contracts is a library for secure smart contract development.
:warning: The Truffle Suite is being sunset. For information on ongoing support, migration options and FAQs, visit the Consensys blog. Thank you for all the support over the years.
Security analysis tool for EVM bytecode. Supports smart contracts built for Ethereum, Hedera, Quorum, Vechain, Rootstock, Tron and other EVM-compatible blockchains.
Quick Overview
Web3.py is a Python library for interacting with Ethereum, allowing developers to connect to Ethereum nodes, send transactions, interact with smart contracts, and manage accounts. It provides a convenient interface for building decentralized applications (dApps) and working with the Ethereum blockchain using Python.
Pros
- Comprehensive Ethereum interaction capabilities
- Well-documented and actively maintained
- Supports both synchronous and asynchronous programming
- Compatible with various Ethereum node providers
Cons
- Learning curve for developers new to blockchain development
- Performance may be slower compared to lower-level libraries
- Limited support for other blockchain networks
- Dependency on external Ethereum nodes or providers
Code Examples
- Connecting to an Ethereum node:
from web3 import Web3
# Connect to an Ethereum node (e.g., local node, Infura, or other providers)
w3 = Web3(Web3.HTTPProvider('https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR-PROJECT-ID'))
# Check if connected
print(w3.is_connected())
- Sending a transaction:
from web3 import Web3
w3 = Web3(Web3.HTTPProvider('https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR-PROJECT-ID'))
# Set up account and transaction details
account = w3.eth.account.from_key('YOUR-PRIVATE-KEY')
to_address = '0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc454e4438f44e'
value = w3.to_wei(0.1, 'ether')
# Create and sign the transaction
transaction = {
'to': to_address,
'value': value,
'gas': 21000,
'gasPrice': w3.eth.gas_price,
'nonce': w3.eth.get_transaction_count(account.address),
}
signed_txn = account.sign_transaction(transaction)
# Send the transaction
tx_hash = w3.eth.send_raw_transaction(signed_txn.rawTransaction)
print(f"Transaction sent: {tx_hash.hex()}")
- Interacting with a smart contract:
from web3 import Web3
w3 = Web3(Web3.HTTPProvider('https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR-PROJECT-ID'))
# Contract ABI and address
contract_abi = [...] # Your contract ABI here
contract_address = '0x...' # Your contract address here
# Create contract instance
contract = w3.eth.contract(address=contract_address, abi=contract_abi)
# Call a read-only function
result = contract.functions.someFunction().call()
print(f"Function result: {result}")
Getting Started
To get started with Web3.py, follow these steps:
-
Install Web3.py using pip:
pip install web3
-
Import Web3 and connect to an Ethereum node:
from web3 import Web3 w3 = Web3(Web3.HTTPProvider('https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR-PROJECT-ID'))
-
Start interacting with Ethereum:
# Check connection print(w3.is_connected()) # Get latest block number print(w3.eth.block_number) # Get account balance balance = w3.eth.get_balance('0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc454e4438f44e') print(f"Balance: {w3.from_wei(balance, 'ether')} ETH")
Competitor Comparisons
Collection of comprehensive TypeScript libraries for Interaction with the Ethereum JSON RPC API and utility functions.
Pros of web3.js
- Larger ecosystem and community support
- More mature and feature-rich
- Better documentation and examples
Cons of web3.js
- JavaScript-specific, limiting language options
- Potentially more complex for beginners
- Slower performance compared to web3.py
Code Comparison
web3.js:
const Web3 = require('web3');
const web3 = new Web3('https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR-PROJECT-ID');
web3.eth.getBalance('0x1234567890123456789012345678901234567890')
.then(console.log);
web3.py:
from web3 import Web3
w3 = Web3(Web3.HTTPProvider('https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR-PROJECT-ID'))
balance = w3.eth.get_balance('0x1234567890123456789012345678901234567890')
print(balance)
Both libraries provide similar functionality for interacting with Ethereum networks. web3.js is more established and has a larger ecosystem, while web3.py offers Python-specific advantages like simplicity and better performance. The choice between them often depends on the developer's preferred language and project requirements.
Complete Ethereum library and wallet implementation in JavaScript.
Pros of ethers.js
- More comprehensive documentation and examples
- Better TypeScript support and type definitions
- Smaller bundle size and faster performance
Cons of ethers.js
- Less established in the ecosystem compared to web3.py
- Fewer integrations with other Ethereum tools and libraries
- Steeper learning curve for developers new to JavaScript
Code Comparison
web3.py:
from web3 import Web3
web3 = Web3(Web3.HTTPProvider('https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR-PROJECT-ID'))
balance = web3.eth.get_balance('0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc454e4438f44e')
print(web3.from_wei(balance, 'ether'))
ethers.js:
const { ethers } = require("ethers");
const provider = new ethers.providers.JsonRpcProvider('https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR-PROJECT-ID');
provider.getBalance('0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc454e4438f44e').then((balance) => {
console.log(ethers.utils.formatEther(balance));
});
Both libraries provide similar functionality for interacting with Ethereum networks, but ethers.js offers a more modern and streamlined API. web3.py is more widely used in Python-based blockchain projects, while ethers.js is popular in JavaScript and TypeScript environments. The choice between them often depends on the developer's preferred programming language and specific project requirements.
Lightweight Java and Android library for integration with Ethereum clients
Pros of web3j
- Written in Java, offering better integration with Java-based enterprise systems
- Supports both Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric networks
- More comprehensive documentation and extensive API coverage
Cons of web3j
- Slower development cycle compared to web3.py
- Less active community and fewer contributors
- May have a steeper learning curve for developers not familiar with Java
Code Comparison
web3j (Java):
Web3j web3 = Web3j.build(new HttpService("https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR-PROJECT-ID"));
EthGetBalance balanceWei = web3.ethGetBalance("0x...", DefaultBlockParameterName.LATEST).send();
BigInteger balance = balanceWei.getBalance();
web3.py (Python):
from web3 import Web3
w3 = Web3(Web3.HTTPProvider("https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR-PROJECT-ID"))
balance_wei = w3.eth.get_balance("0x...")
balance = w3.from_wei(balance_wei, "ether")
Both libraries provide similar functionality for interacting with Ethereum networks, but web3j is more suitable for Java-based projects and enterprise environments, while web3.py offers a more pythonic approach and faster development cycle. The choice between them often depends on the project's requirements and the development team's expertise.
OpenZeppelin Contracts is a library for secure smart contract development.
Pros of openzeppelin-contracts
- Provides a comprehensive library of secure, audited smart contract components
- Offers standardized implementations of popular token standards (ERC20, ERC721, etc.)
- Includes advanced features like access control, upgradeable contracts, and gas optimizations
Cons of openzeppelin-contracts
- Focused solely on smart contract development, lacking direct blockchain interaction capabilities
- Requires additional tools or libraries for deployment and testing
- May introduce unnecessary complexity for simple projects
Code Comparison
openzeppelin-contracts (ERC20 token implementation):
contract MyToken is ERC20 {
constructor(uint256 initialSupply) ERC20("MyToken", "MTK") {
_mint(msg.sender, initialSupply);
}
}
web3.py (Interacting with an ERC20 token):
from web3 import Web3
w3 = Web3(Web3.HTTPProvider('https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR-PROJECT-ID'))
token_address = '0x123...'
token_abi = [...]
token_contract = w3.eth.contract(address=token_address, abi=token_abi)
balance = token_contract.functions.balanceOf(account_address).call()
Summary
openzeppelin-contracts excels in providing secure, standardized smart contract components, while web3.py focuses on blockchain interaction and integration. Choose openzeppelin-contracts for robust smart contract development, and web3.py for interacting with Ethereum networks and deployed contracts.
:warning: The Truffle Suite is being sunset. For information on ongoing support, migration options and FAQs, visit the Consensys blog. Thank you for all the support over the years.
Pros of Truffle
- Comprehensive development environment with built-in testing framework and asset pipeline
- Easier contract deployment and migration management
- User-friendly command-line interface for common tasks
Cons of Truffle
- Steeper learning curve for beginners due to its extensive features
- Less flexibility for custom configurations compared to Web3.py
- Primarily focused on Ethereum, while Web3.py supports multiple blockchain platforms
Code Comparison
Truffle (JavaScript):
const MyContract = artifacts.require("MyContract");
module.exports = function(deployer) {
deployer.deploy(MyContract);
};
Web3.py (Python):
from web3 import Web3
w3 = Web3(Web3.HTTPProvider('http://localhost:8545'))
contract = w3.eth.contract(address=contract_address, abi=contract_abi)
tx_hash = contract.functions.myFunction().transact()
Truffle provides a more streamlined approach for contract deployment, while Web3.py offers more granular control over interactions with the Ethereum network. Truffle's JavaScript-based ecosystem may be more familiar to web developers, whereas Web3.py integrates well with Python-based projects and data analysis workflows.
Security analysis tool for EVM bytecode. Supports smart contracts built for Ethereum, Hedera, Quorum, Vechain, Rootstock, Tron and other EVM-compatible blockchains.
Pros of Mythril
- Specialized security analysis tool for Ethereum smart contracts
- Provides automated vulnerability detection and symbolic execution
- Includes a command-line interface for easy integration into development workflows
Cons of Mythril
- Narrower scope, focused solely on security analysis
- Steeper learning curve for developers not familiar with security concepts
- May require additional tools for comprehensive smart contract development
Code Comparison
Mythril (vulnerability detection):
from mythril.mythril import MythrilDisassembler
from mythril.ethereum import util
address = util.get_indexed_address(0)
contract = MythrilDisassembler().get_contract_from_bytecode(address)
print(contract.get_easm())
web3.py (contract interaction):
from web3 import Web3
w3 = Web3(Web3.HTTPProvider('https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR-PROJECT-ID'))
contract = w3.eth.contract(address=contract_address, abi=contract_abi)
result = contract.functions.someFunction().call()
Summary
While web3.py is a comprehensive library for interacting with Ethereum, Mythril focuses on security analysis. web3.py offers broader functionality for smart contract development and blockchain interaction, whereas Mythril provides specialized tools for identifying vulnerabilities in smart contracts. Developers may use both tools in conjunction for a more robust development and security workflow.
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web3.py
A Python Library for Interacting with Ethereum
web3.py allows you to interact with the Ethereum blockchain using Python, enabling you to build decentralized applications, interact with smart contracts, and much more.
- Python 3.8+ support
Quickstart
Get started in 5 minutes or take a tour of the library.
Documentation
For additional guides, examples, and APIs, see the documentation.
Want to Help?
Want to file a bug, contribute some code, or improve documentation? Excellent! Read up on our guidelines for contributing, then check out issues that are labeled Good First Issue.
Questions on Implementation or Usage?
Join the conversation in the Ethereum Python Community Discord.
Top Related Projects
Collection of comprehensive TypeScript libraries for Interaction with the Ethereum JSON RPC API and utility functions.
Complete Ethereum library and wallet implementation in JavaScript.
Lightweight Java and Android library for integration with Ethereum clients
OpenZeppelin Contracts is a library for secure smart contract development.
:warning: The Truffle Suite is being sunset. For information on ongoing support, migration options and FAQs, visit the Consensys blog. Thank you for all the support over the years.
Security analysis tool for EVM bytecode. Supports smart contracts built for Ethereum, Hedera, Quorum, Vechain, Rootstock, Tron and other EVM-compatible blockchains.
Convert designs to code with AI
Introducing Visual Copilot: A new AI model to turn Figma designs to high quality code using your components.
Try Visual Copilot