# LEARNING CAIRO AT BLOCKFUSELABS
As we closed in on the 17th week at BlockFuseLabs, the learning path took a sharp and exciting turn: we began our journey into the world of Cairo, the native language for Starknet, a fast-growing Layer 2 scalability solution built on top of Ethereum using zk-rollup technology. This week marked the beginning of our preparation for the upcoming Starknet bootcamp, and it already feels like we’re unlocking a new realm in the Web3 universe.

## Why Cairo?
Our tutor made it clear: if you want to build dApps on Starknet or push the boundaries of what's possible with zk-rollups, Cairo is essential.

Ethereum scaling remains one of the most critical challenges in the blockchain space. Starknet offers a compelling solution using zero-knowledge proofs, which allow for scalability without compromising security or decentralization. At the heart of Starknet lies Cairo (CPU Algebraic Intermediate Representation)—a low-level, Turing-complete language optimized for STARK-based proof systems.

## Learning Cairo with Starklings
To ease us into Cairo, we started using the open-source learning tool Starklings—inspired by the well-known Rustlings project. Starklings is a guided, hands-on exercise platform that walks learners through writing and fixing small, self-contained Cairo programs. It progresses from beginner-friendly syntax and data types to more advanced topics like traits, recursion, felt operations, storage, and contract development.

Here’s why our tutor recommended it so highly:

* Progressive difficulty curve: From basic syntax to Starknet contracts

* Built-in compiler errors that guide you like a teacher

* Hands-on: No theoretical overload, just code and fix

* Instant feedback through tests that tell you when you’ve solved a problem


## From Cairo to Rust
Interestingly, our tutor pointed out something that made the team sit up—“Once you’ve mastered Cairo, picking up Rust becomes way easier.”

While Cairo and Rust are different languages with different ecosystems, they share a number of characteristics:
This means that diving deep into Cairo doesn't just help with Starknet—it builds mental models that transfer well into Rust development, which is increasingly becoming the go-to language for performance-critical blockchain tooling (e.g., Solana, zk tools, Substrate, and more).

## CONCLUSION
Week 17 has been nothing short of transformative. As Web3 developers, it’s not every day that you get to learn a language tailor-made for the next frontier of scalability and privacy. With Starklings guiding our way and our team pushing forward with grit and curiosity, Cairo is becoming more than a tool—it’s becoming part of our developer DNA.