Plutus
Plutus is a functional programming language and platform developed by IOG (Input Output Global) for writing smart contracts on the Cardano blockchain. It is based on Haskell and uses a unique extended UTXO (EUTXO) model to enable secure, deterministic, and formally verifiable decentralized applications. Plutus allows developers to write on-chain code that runs on the Cardano blockchain and off-chain code that interacts with it.
Developers should learn Plutus when building decentralized applications (dApps) on the Cardano blockchain, as it is the native smart contract language for this ecosystem. It is particularly useful for projects requiring high security and formal verification, such as financial protocols, voting systems, and identity management, due to its functional programming foundations and EUTXO model that reduces common smart contract vulnerabilities.