Cairo
Cairo is a programming language designed for writing provable programs, primarily used for creating smart contracts on StarkNet, a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum. It enables developers to write code that can be efficiently proven with zero-knowledge proofs, allowing for scalable and private blockchain applications. The language is Turing-complete and focuses on safety and verifiability through its type system and proof mechanisms.
Developers should learn Cairo when building decentralized applications (dApps) that require high scalability and privacy on Ethereum, as it integrates with StarkNet to handle complex computations off-chain with cryptographic proofs. It is particularly useful for financial applications, gaming, and identity systems where transaction costs and speed are critical, leveraging zero-knowledge rollups to reduce fees and increase throughput compared to direct Ethereum usage.