Choose Your Path

Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.canton.network/llms.txt Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

Choose Your Path

Find the right learning path based on your background and goals

Whether you’re new to blockchain or migrating from another platform, this guide helps you find the most efficient path to building on Canton Network.

Quick Assessment

**Recommended Path:**

1. [Five-Minute Overview](/docs/canton/overview-understand-five-minute-overview) - Understand what Canton is
2. [Core Concepts](/docs/canton/overview-understand-core-concepts) - Learn the fundamentals
3. [Module 1: Understanding Canton](/docs/canton/appdev-modules-m1-understanding-canton) - Build mental models
4. [Module 3: Daml Smart Contracts](/docs/canton/appdev-modules-m3-dev-environment) - Start coding
5. [Module 4: Building Applications](/docs/canton/appdev-modules-m4-building-apps-intro) - Hands-on practice with the example application

**Recommended Path:**

1. [Canton for Ethereum Developers](/docs/canton/appdev-modules-m2-canton-for-ethereum-devs) - Map your knowledge
2. [Privacy Model](/docs/canton/overview-learn-privacy-model) - Understand the key difference
3. [Module 3: Daml Smart Contracts](/docs/canton/appdev-modules-m3-dev-environment) - Learn Daml syntax
4. [Module 4: Building Applications](/docs/canton/appdev-modules-m4-building-apps-intro) - Hands-on practice building a full-stack Canton app

**Key differences to internalize:**

* Immutable contracts (archive + create, not mutate)
* Explicit authorization (signatory/controller, not msg.sender)
* Privacy by default (declare observers, not hide data)

**Recommended Path:**

1. [Five-Minute Overview](/docs/canton/overview-understand-five-minute-overview) - Canton's approach
2. [Canton for Ethereum Developers](/docs/canton/appdev-modules-m2-canton-for-ethereum-devs) - Concept mapping (still useful)
3. [Architecture Overview](/docs/canton/overview-learn-architecture) - How components work
4. [Module 3: Daml Smart Contracts](/docs/canton/appdev-modules-m3-dev-environment) - Start coding

**Recommended Path:**

1. [Five-Minute Overview](/docs/canton/overview-understand-five-minute-overview)
2. [The Problem Canton Solves](/docs/canton/overview-understand-the-problem)
3. [Canton's Solution](/docs/canton/overview-understand-cantons-solution)
4. [Use Cases](/docs/canton/overview-understand-use-cases)
5. [Architecture Overview](/docs/canton/overview-learn-architecture)

Learning Modules

The developer documentation is organized into progressive modules:

Module	Focus	Prerequisites
Module 1	Understanding Canton	None
Module 2	Canton for Ethereum Devs	Ethereum/blockchain experience
Module 3	Daml Smart Contracts	Module 1 or 2
Module 4	Building Applications	Module 3
Module 5	Testing & Deployment	Module 4
Module 6	Smart Contract Upgrades	Module 3-5
Module 7	Production Best Practices	Module 5

Development Stack Overview

Canton Network development involves these components:

flowchart TB
    subgraph YourCode[Your Application]
        FE[Frontend<br>React, Vue, etc.]
        BE[Backend<br>TypeScript, Java]
        SC[Smart Contracts<br>Daml]
    end

    subgraph Canton[Canton Network Infrastructure]
        PART[Validator Node]
        PQS[PQS<br>SQL queries]
        SYNC[Synchronizer]
    end

    FE --> BE
    BE --> PART
    BE --> PQS
    PQS --> PART
    PART <--> SYNC
    SC --> PART

Prerequisites

Before starting development:

Required

Programming experience in any language
Command line familiarity
Git for version control

Helpful (but not required)

Functional programming concepts (Haskell, OCaml, F#, or similar)
Docker for running local environments
PostgreSQL for PQS queries

Development Environment

Install the SDK including Daml compiler and tools. Install the Daml VS Code extension for syntax highlighting and IDE support.

Hands-on Practice

Ready to build? Module 4: Building Applications walks you through a full-stack Canton Network application end-to-end — prerequisites, running the demo, backend and frontend development, the JSON Ledger API, and observability.

Getting Help

Email a request to join the app developer Slack channel. Technical discussions and Q\&A Common questions answered

Mirrored from Canton Network official documentation (CC-BY-4.0) by CC Privacy Club for learning purposes.