PRAGMA Launches to Promote Open Source Development in the Cardano Ecosystem

Discover PRAGMA, the newly established non-profit association aimed at nurturing the open source ecosystem of Cardano.

Find out how it plans to support developers and foster innovation with initiatives like Amaru and Aiken, as it strives to become a central hub for blockchain-related open source projects.

Non-Profit Open Source Association PRAGMA Established

The Cardano Foundation, in support of Cardano (ADA), announced the establishment of a non-profit open source association called "PRAGMA" on April 22, 2024. This initiative involves collaboration with Blink Labs, dcSpark, Sundae Labs, and TxPipe.

dcSpark, known for developing the "Flint Wallet," and Sundae Labs, which operates the Cardano-based decentralized exchange (DEX) "SundaeSwap," are both pivotal contributors to this new association.

PRAGMA is described as a membership-based non-profit open source association targeting blockchain software projects, aimed at nurturing the open source ecosystems of Cardano and other blockchains.

PRAGMA’s Goals and Objectives

The primary goal of PRAGMA is to support existing projects, aid their development, and foster the open source ecosystem of Cardano. Additionally, it supports the development and introduction of new beneficial tools as needed.

By adopting an open source framework, PRAGMA ensures that all developers can build and improve tools for the future network while promoting technologies that meet specific business needs, thus securing an equitable and innovative space that supports the community.

PRAGMA is committed to developing high-quality software that is free to use and serves the public interest, emphasizing accessibility, inclusiveness, and social impact.

In the long term, PRAGMA aims to become a central hub for blockchain-related open source projects.

Phase One Initiative: Amaru

In its first phase, PRAGMA focuses on a select few projects, with one key project being "Amaru," an alternative Rust node client for the Cardano blockchain. (Rust is an open-source programming language.) Amaru can run concurrently in full interoperability with the existing Haskell node. Initially intended as an entry point for client applications, it ultimately aims to enhance platform decentralization while nurturing a rich open source ecosystem.

Phase Two Initiative: Aiken

In the second phase, PRAGMA will focus on "Aiken," a specially created smart contract platform that simplifies and enhances smart contract development on Cardano. Aiken provides an accessible, modern programming language with an easy-to-learn syntax, designed to integrate seamlessly with other tools and languages, and includes various cutting-edge features to meet developer expectations.

The next phase, scheduled for 2025, will open membership to more developers within the Cardano ecosystem.

Further details about PRAGMA and its roadmap can be found on the official PRAGMA website.

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