- Hedera plans to retire the hethers.js library by October 20, 2023, to align with Ethereum Virtual Machine standards.
- Developers using hethers.js should switch to EVM tools like ethers.js or web3.js, but the library will still be on GitHub without updates.
Hedera, a prominent blockchain platform, has announced the upcoming deprecation of its hethers.js library. This strategic move is part of Hedera’s ongoing push for Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) equivalence. With this transition, the platform aims to offer a more cohesive development experience by closely aligning with popular EVM tooling.
🚀 Embrace the future of #web3 development with Hedera! 💪 Deprecating Hethers.js to welcome seamless integration with native EVM tooling like ethers.js and web3.js. It's all about making your development journey smoother! 🌐🔗 #Ethereum #Blockchain #Innovation https://t.co/pRkBIggqY9
— Marcel Knobloch aka Collin Brown (@CollinBrownXRP) October 5, 2023
The impending deprecation comes as Hedera strives to enhance developers’ engagement with its platform. With a focus on simplifying the development toolkit, Hedera believes that developers will find it more straightforward to transition to Ethereum-compatible development. The official date for this change is slated for later this month.
Why the Shift?
Hedera anchors its transition away from hethers.js in its forward-thinking roadmap. As the platform charts its course towards EVM alignment, the necessity for independent libraries appears to wane. The newfound alignment ensures that developers can utilize established EVM instruments such as ethers.js and web3.js to liaise with Hedera’s smart contracts, a feat made possible by the innovative JSON-RPC Relay mechanism.
This paradigm shift promises a trio of advantages:
- A harmonized development framework inviting those proficient with Ethereum to explore Hedera with minimal friction.
- A decluttered toolkit, achieved by condensing essential developmental instruments.
- Augmented choices for developers equipped with a more extensive set of tools.
Developers familiar with hethers.js should strongly consider switching to renowned EVM instruments like ethers.js or web3.js. While hethers.js will remain on GitHub, it won’t receive future updates or official endorsements.
Assistance During the Transition
Anticipating potential teething issues during this shift, Hedera extends a supportive hand. A comprehensive set of guidelines and walkthroughs, emphasizing tools such as web3.js, ethers.js, Hardhat, Foundry, Truffle, and The Graph, can be found encapsulated within Hedera’s repository on smart contract protocols.
Furthermore, the developer community can relay their queries, feedback, or even apprehensions through Hedera’s designated feedback portal on Discord, where seasoned representatives from Hedera await to aid and guide.
Market Reactions and Other Revelations
Following this disclosure, a slight turbulence was observed in Hedera’s valuation, marking a decline of 0.96 percent to a valuation of $0.04829. Its market stature and daily trading volume experienced concurrent fluctuations. It’s pivotal to acknowledge that this isn’t an isolated revelation from Hedera.
A previous month saw Hedera unfurling its “Stablecoin Studio,” a comprehensive solution tailored for the seamless issuance and governance of stablecoins. This venture showcases Hedera’s aspirations to entrench itself as a versatile blockchain solution catering to various participants, spanning Web3 platforms to financial intermediaries.
Hedera’s conscious decision to sunset hethers.js underlines its unwavering resolve to enhance the developer experience in its precincts. By gravitating towards EVM while providing robust handholding during the shift, Hedera reaffirms its allegiance to its developer diaspora. The developer community is anticipated to recalibrate their tools, ensuring they remain in sync with the ever-evolving landscape of the Hedera blockchain.
