Skip to main content

Solana Program Library

You can find SPL programs as pre-coded, standardized smart contracts deployed on the Solana blockchain that operate across multiple accounts in parallel.

The SPL is a comprehensive collection of standardized on-chain programs and token utilities that enable developers to build fast, scalable decentralized applications on the Solana blockchain.

Key characteristics of SPL​

  • SPL tokens are Solana's equivalent to ERC-20 tokens on Ethereum
  • Unlike Ethereum where different token types have distinct standards (ERC-20, ERC-721), Solana uses SPL tokens for all token types with different configurations
  • The SPL Token program is the single smart contract used for most token operations, unlike Ethereum where each token deploys its own contract
  • SPL is open-source and maintained by the Solana Foundation and community contributors

Comparison with Ethereum​

The equivalent of Ethereum's ERC standards.

  • Tokens are identified by mint addresses rather than contract addresses
  • No approval flow is needed for transfers due to Associated Token Accounts (ATAs)
  • The account model separates state from execution logic, making SPL programs highly reusable.

Comparison with SUI​

While Solana has a centralized library of standardized programs (SPL), Move/Sui uses a more modular approach with standard libraries embedded within the language itself, making it more flexible across different blockchain implementations.

Questions​

Which engineering decision related to this topic has the highest switching cost once made — and how do you make it well with incomplete information?

  • At what scale or complexity level does the right answer to this topic change significantly?
  • How does the introduction of AI-native workflows change the conventional wisdom about this technology?
  • Which anti-pattern in this area is most commonly introduced by developers who know enough to be dangerous but not enough to know what they don't know?