Nadia van Niekerk‡, Brink van der Merwe‡, Louwrens Labuschagne§Corresponding author: Nadia van Niekerk ( nadvnnie@gmail.com ) © Nadia van Niekerk, Brink van der Merwe, Louwrens Labuschagne. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-ND 4.0). This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use. Citation:
van Niekerk N, van der Merwe B, Labuschagne L (2025) The 5 W’s of Zero-Knowledge Proof Development. JUCS - Journal of Universal Computer Science 31(14): 1607-1635. https://doi.org/10.3897/jucs.133397 |  |
In the rapidly evolving realm of blockchain technology, the pursuit of enhanced privacy, security, and scalability has propelled the exploration of cryptographic innovations. Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) have emerged as a pivotal solution, addressing diverse challenges across decentralized applications and cryptographic systems. However, the intricate mathematical foundations of ZKPs can pose a barrier to widespread adoption. To bridge this gap, a spectrum of ZKP tools has been developed, abstracting mathematical complexities and enabling developers with varying levels of expertise to incorporate ZKPs into their projects.
The exploration of the 5 W’s – Who, What, When, Where, and Why – guides developers in selecting ZKP tools aligned with their specific needs and understanding. This paper serves as a vital resource for developers entering the dynamic landscape of ZKP development. By answering crucial questions and providing nuanced insights into ZKP tools, it empowers developers to navigate this intricate domain effectively. As ZKP technology continues to evolve, our findings contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding its implementation, utilization and the ever-adapting toolkit shaping the future of cryptographic innovation.
This paper employs a Mining Software Repositories (MSR) approach to unravel insights from the expansive landscape of ZKP development. By delving into GitHub repositories, we categorize author archetypes, discuss ZKP proof constructions, identify phases of tool development, explore the level of understanding required and examine the correlation between tool types and application purposes. Through a metrics-driven analysis, we unveil patterns in tool popularity, development trends, and historical perspectives, offering a comprehensive understanding of the ZKP tooling ecosystem.