Learn ANCHOR with Real Code Examples

Anchor allows developers to write, test, and deploy Solana programs efficiently using Rust.

It provides scaffolding, IDL (Interface Definition Language) generation, and client SDKs for interacting with deployed programs.

Anchor streamlines Solana development by managing accounts, PDAs (Program Derived Addresses), and transaction boilerplate.

Program scaffolding with `anchor init`

Program compilation and deployment via `anchor build`/`anchor deploy`

Type-safe client SDK generation (TypeScript, Rust)

Account serialization/deserialization helpers

Testing with local validator and program simulation

Program: Solana smart contract written in Rust

Instruction: Function in a program invoked by a transaction

Account: Storage unit in Solana, holding data and SOL

PDA: Program Derived Address for deterministic account management

IDL: Interface Definition Language file describing the program

programs/ - Rust program files

tests/ - Rust test scripts for program instructions

migrations/ - deployment scripts

target/ - compiled binaries

Anchor.toml - project configuration and Solana cluster info

Initialize new Anchor project: `anchor init project_name`

Write Solana program in Rust in `programs/` directory

Build and compile program: `anchor build`

Write client interactions and tests in `tests/` or TypeScript client

Deploy program to Solana cluster using `anchor deploy`

Beginner: deploy simple Solana programs to local validator

Intermediate: write automated tests for instructions

Advanced: manage PDAs and complex account interactions

Expert: deploy multi-program dApps on devnet/mainnet

Enterprise: integrate Solana programs with TypeScript/React frontends

Anchor vs Solana SDK: Anchor reduces boilerplate and manages accounts/PDAs

Anchor vs Metaplex CLI: Anchor focuses on program development; Metaplex is NFT-specific

Anchor vs Hardhat/Ethereum frameworks: Solana vs Ethereum ecosystem, Rust vs JS/Python

Anchor vs web3.js client: web3.js is only client, Anchor provides full program+client workflow

Anchor vs Serum SDK: Anchor is general-purpose; Serum SDK is DEX-specific

2020 – Initial release by Project Serum team

2021 – Added IDL generation and improved testing framework

2022 – Macros for account validation and error handling introduced

2023 – Enhanced TypeScript client SDK integration

2025 – Latest version with improved Rust support and Solana compatibility

Anchor: Rust-based Solana development framework

Program: Solana smart contract

Instruction: callable function in a program

Account: storage unit on Solana blockchain

PDA: Program Derived Address for deterministic accounts