Is Fortran Useful for Blockchain API Developer Jobs?

I’ve got this career dilemma, and I’m really hoping someone here can help me untangle it. 😅 For context: I’ve been coding APIs for ERP systems forever, mostly in Fortran (I know, I know… it’s niche, but hey, it paid the bills!). Lately, though, I’ve been itching to dive into blockchain API development. The problem? I’m staring at this mountain of new tech and thinking, “Where do I even start?”

Blockchain feels like a different planet compared to the ERP world. I’ve tried Googling, but every article throws terms like Web3.js, Solidity, IPFS, GraphQL, and smart contracts at me—and I’m just sitting here like, “Do I need all of these? What’s actually critical?”

Here’s where I’m stuck:

Languages: My Fortran skills are solid, but I’m guessing they won’t translate here. Should I grind Python? JavaScript? Go? Or is there a “gateway” language for blockchain that’s friendlier for my background?
Tools & Frameworks: I see tools like Truffle, Hardhat, and Hyperledger Fabric popping up. Are these industry standards, or just hype?
Security: In ERP, security was about data integrity and access controls. Blockchain seems next-level with cryptography and consensus algorithms. How steep is that learning curve?
Resources: I’ve seen Coursera courses and YouTube tutorials, but… are there any hidden gems for hands-on learners? Or communities (Discord? Reddit?) where people actually answer questions without judging my Fortran past?

Also—am I crazy for thinking my ERP experience might help? Like, designing scalable systems or handling complex integrations? Or is blockchain a totally different beast?

Honestly, part of me feels like I’m racing to catch up after years in a legacy stack. But I’m so curious about blockchain’s potential! Any advice—even a “start here” link or a “avoid this” warning—would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks for listening to my ramble. 🙏 You folks are the experts, so I’m all ears!

Focus on learning web3 libraries like web3.js, ethers.js, and SDKs such as Alchemy, Moralis, and Infura. These tools enable interaction with blockchain networks, smart contract execution, and wallet management.

Learn programming languages such as Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Rust, or Go, commonly used in blockchain development. Study blockchain basics, including transactions, smart contracts, and decentralized systems. Start with platforms like Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, or Solana.

Master RESTful and GraphQL APIs to query blockchain data efficiently. Use tools like The Graph for indexing data and JSON-RPC to interact with blockchain nodes.

Build simple projects like token transfer APIs or wallet balance fetchers. Read official documentation from blockchain protocols and contribute to their developer forums for practical knowledge.

This approach ensures a smooth transition from ERP API development to blockchain API development while building essential expertise.