What is Web 3.0 technology? Web 3.0 is the newest generation of the World Wide Web. Unlike previous generations, it's characterized by decentralization, increased consumer usefulness, and openness. Accordingly, it has the potential to be as transformative as Web 2.0 has been.
Read on to learn more about Web 3.0 and how it may affect your business. We'll cover the history of the World Wide Web, Web 2.0 vs. Web 3.0, key aspects of Web 3.0, examples of Web 3.0 technologies and Web 3.0 projects, and Web 3.0 programming languages. At the end of this guide, we'll cover whether Web 3.0 is really the future.
The History of the World Wide Web
Before we dive into what Web 3.0 is, let's explore the history of the World Wide Web:
Web 1.0
Web 1.0, which lasted from 1989 to 2004, was the first generation of the World Wide Web. English computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee pioneered Web 1.0 in 1989 as a computer scientist at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
Also called the read-only web, Web 1.0 was a one-way publishing medium with minimal content generation or user input. Most internet users just used the web to search for information, and only a few businesses wrote web pages and content for large audiences. Web 1.0 aimed to showcase information, enable fluid collaboration between individuals and researchers, and provide universal access to content.
Other defining elements of Web 1.0 included:
- A foundation of three technologies: HTML, URL/URI, and HTTP
- HTML 3.2 elements such as tables and frames
- HTML forms sent through email
- Static pages
- Website content from servers' file systems rather than relational database management systems
- GIF graphics and buttons
- No advertising
Web 2.0
Web 2.0 is the version of the internet we are currently using. The term was created in 2004 by O'Reilly VP and web pioneer Dale Dougherty. Web 2.0 is also called the people-centric web, wisdom web, and read/write web.
Web 2.0 has moved towards a more participatory model where most web page developers can update their own sites as often as they want. As a result, information has been flowing in both directions between viewers and content providers, resulting in the rise of the gig economy. Web 2.0 has also seen the rise of many interactive mediums, including blogging, social media interaction, hosted services, chatting, mobile web applications, instant messages, podcasting, weblogs, and picture sharing. Additionally, Web 2.0 has spurred the growth of some of the largest companies in the world, including Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta (formerly Facebook), and Netflix. We even have an acronym for these entities: MAMAA.
The key drivers of Web 2.0 development are web-related technologies and standards like:
- Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
- Extensible HTML (XHTML)
- The Document Object Model (DOM)
- Adobe Flash
- XSL Transformations (XSLT)/XML
Web 3.0
English computer scientist Gavin Wood coined the term Web 3.0 in 2014. Other names for the concept include semantic web (coined by Tim Berners-Lee) and Web3.
Web 3.0 is a vision for the future of the internet that is more decentralized and democratic than the current internet. Services will not be hosted by a single service provider family; instead, everyone will use algorithms to host sites. Think blockchain but applied to the whole internet. Web 3.0 also seeks to provide an infrastructure for developing multiple web applications, reducing the manual efforts required to search for services or products.
Web 3.0 examples of technology include:
- Resource Description Framework (RDF)
- RDF Schema (RDFS)
- Web Ontology Language (OWL)
- RDF Query Language (SPARQL) and Simple Protocol for querying RDF data
- Digital currency and cryptocurrency — in fact, Web 3.0 may work better with cryptocurrency than fiat currency
- Blockchain applications
- Edge computing
- Non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
- Decentralized networks
- The metaverse, which is a shared digital reality that lets users build economies, connect with each other, and interact in real time. Users can access the metaverse using virtual reality (VR) goggles and other devices.
What’s Web 3.0
What is Web 3.0? While there is no standardized definition of Web 3.0, every vision of Web 3.0 shares the following features:
Decentralization
Decentralization is one of the basic tenets of Web 3.0.
In Web 2.0, computers use HTTP as unique web addresses to locate information stored on centralized servers at fixed locations. However, in Web 3.0, information is decentralized, which means it can be stored in multiple locations simultaneously. This would destroy the massive databases currently maintained by web giants like Google and Meta and hand users complete control over their interactions and data.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a vital role in Web 3.0. Popular Web 2.0 applications like Netflix and Amazon are already using AI to improve user experience and provide user recommendations. Web 3.0 may take that up a notch by providing even more personalized recommendations based on user data.
Machine Learning
In Web 3.0, computers will be able to process data similarly to humans due to machine learning. Machine learning is a branch of AI that uses algorithms and intelligent search engines to imitate how humans learn. Machine learning will empower computers to generate more relevant and faster results in various industries, including new materials and drug development.
Permissionless and Trustless
Besides being decentralized, Web 3.0 will also be permissionless (which means that anyone can participate, even without authorization from governing bodies) and trustless (which means networks will allow participants to interact directly without having to go through a trusted intermediary). We can expect Web 3.0 applications to run on decentralized peer-to-peer networks or blockchains, or a mix of both.
Ubiquity
Information and content will be more ubiquitous and connected in Web 3.0. In other words, multiple applications can access information, including Internet of Things (IoT) devices like smart thermostats, refrigerators, cars, lights, and other appliances.
Examples of Web 3.0
Now that you understand what Web 3.0 is, here are two of the hottest Web 3.0 technologies and applications:
Non-Fungible Tokens
A non-fungible token (NFT) is a unique digital identifier that cannot be substituted, copied, or subdivided. NFTs are recorded in a blockchain and are used to certify ownership and authenticity. Users can transfer ownership of NFTs by selling or trading them.
Anyone can create NFTs — they require little to no coding skills to create. Most NFTs contain references to photos or illustrations, but they can also point to videos and audio recordings.
Famous examples of NFTs include:
- An animated GIF of Nyan Cat, a 2011 meme featuring a flying Pop-Tart cat, which sold for over $500,000
- Musician Grimes' digital art, some of which sold for over $6 million
- The first-ever tweet, which had bids hitting $2.5 million
- Sorare's football trading NFT cards
Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
Decentralized finance (DeFi) is an emerging financial ecosystem based on blockchain technology. It consists of various peer-to-peer public blockchain financial services, mainly Ethereum. DeFi has two main purposes:
- Challenge centralized financial systems like brokerages and banks
- Empower users with peer-to-peer digital exchanges
Unlike traditional financial systems, DeFi does not charge users fees for using their services. Users can also hold money in secure digital wallets and transfer funds within seconds.
Web 3.0 Programming Languages
As Web 3.0 becomes more popular, the demand for Web 3.0 web and app developers has exploded. If you're interested in hiring Web 3.0 developers, here are the most sought-after Web 3.0 programming languages:
Solidity
Solidity is a high-level, object-oriented language for creating smart contracts on various blockchain networks, especially Ethereum.
Smart contracts are programs on blockchains that run when certain conditions are met. Web 3.0 developers use smart contracts to automatically control, execute, or document actions or events according to the terms of an agreement or contract. For example, they can use Solidity to create contracts for crowdfunding, voting, multi-signature digital wallets, and blind auctions.
Python
Python is an object-oriented and interpreted language. It supports multiple programming paradigms, including functional, structured, and object-oriented programming.
Web 3.0 developers can use Python to facilitate lightning-quick development and testing. The language is also easy to learn, allowing for faster development of ideas.
Java
Java is a class-based, object-oriented language that is often used to create Android mobile apps. It is widely used in website creation.
Web 3.0 developers can use Java to create smart contracts with extensive libraries, direct memory cleaning, and object-oriented programming support. Many programmers have used Java to create blockchain platforms, such as Hyperledger Fabric.
C++
As one of the hottest programming languages, C++ can be found in today's graphical user interfaces, operating systems, and embedded systems. The main advantage associated with C++ programming is the primitive control of memory. As such, Web 3.0 developers can use C++ to combine data and functions in one module.
HTML
HTML is another top language in Web 3.0. The standard markup language for structuring web content, HTML has served as an essential layer in Web 2.0 applications since the '90s. Without it, programmers and designers would not be able to define and organize paragraphs and headings on web pages and applications.
We can expect HTML to play similar roles in Web 3.0. Specifically, we can expect programmers and designers to continue using HTML to design web pages and apps. They will probably also use HTML to embed videos and images across different platforms.
Vyper
Vyper is a promising minimalist alternative to Solidity and has many similarities with Python. It reduces issues like infinite loops, recursive calling, and modifiers. However, unlike the other languages on this list, Vyper isn't fully finished. Once it is finished, however, Web 3.0 developers can use it to create effective and efficient smart contracts.
Rust
Rust is a statically-typed and open-source language that supports multiple programming principles. Highly secure and efficient, the language boasts a friendly compiler with helpful error messages, excellent documentation, and top-tier tooling, including:
- An integrated build tool and package manager
- Smart multi-editor support with type inspections and autocompletion
- An auto-formatter
Web 3.0 can use Rust to boost performance by eliminating different bug classes. They can also use it to create secure software by controlling low-level details.
Golang
Golang or Go was developed by three professionals at Google. It is a statically-typed and compiled coding language that has a C-like syntax.
As one of the top programming languages for Web 3.0, Go features garbage collection, structural typing, communicating sequential processes (CSP)-style concurrency, and memory safety. Like Python, it is easy to learn, leading to reduced development times. Large companies like Uber, Netflix, and American Express have used Go to develop sleek and scalable applications.
Web3.0 Is Going Great
Recent tech trends reveal that Web 3.0 is the future.
To begin, the blockchain market expanded at a massive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 70% from 2019 to 2025. That's because blockchain offers many benefits, including eliminating reconciliation, reducing duplicative recordkeeping, and providing reliable transaction validation.
NFTs have also gone mainstream. In 2020, when NFTs first entered into the public consciousness, NFT creators were mostly anonymous or little-known digital artists and musicians. However, as NFTs became increasingly popular in 2021 and 2022, various global media brands have started releasing NFT collections, including Disney.
Additionally, interactive experiences like the metaverse are also slated to become a bigger part of our lives. According to Gartner, 25% of the population will spend at least one hour in the metaverse by 2026. Further, an analysis by consultancy McKinsey revealed that tech companies, private equity, and venture capitalists invested around $120 billion in the first half of 2022.
Hire Web3 Developers with Revelo
The job market has reflected all of these changes. If you type in "hire web 3.0 developer," you will be flooded with thousands of job posts. This suggests that Web 3.0 development skills are increasingly in demand, particularly in the blockchain, cryptocurrency, and metaverse spaces.
If you're interested in hiring Web 3.0 developers, consider joining Revelo. As Latin America's biggest tech talent marketplace, we provide access to 300,000 information technology (IT) professionals, including blockchain developers, Web 3.0 web programmers, and DeFi experts. Just fill out this page to start hiring. We will match you with the best programmers for your project within a couple of business days.
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