One of the most confusing topics for beginners in blockchain is understanding what mainnet, testnet, and devnet are. Many people hear these terms, but they don't fully understand the differences. Today, I’ll try to explain these three.

Imagine the development process of a project. Just like a player needs to rehearse before stepping onto the stage, blockchain projects do the same. This is where the devnet stage begins. Devnet is like a playground for software developers. Here, developers experiment, test codes, and shape the system. Devnet usually remains active for a long time and continues to be developed.

After devnet, the project moves to the testnet phase. Unlike devnet, testnet is open to a broader user base. Tests are conducted in an environment closer to the real world. The best part of testnet is that it’s cost-free. The tokens used have no monetary value. In many projects, people who find and report bugs on the testnet are rewarded. The goal is to resolve potential issues before moving to the mainnet.

Finally, we come to the question: what is mainnet? Mainnet is the project’s launch into the real world. Now, every transaction requires paying gas fees, and all transactions are real and permanent. Decisions made on the mainnet are irreversible. That’s why projects need to thoroughly test on the testnet before moving to mainnet. Any errors on the mainnet can have very serious consequences.

In short: devnet is the developer’s playground, testnet is an open rehearsal for everyone, and mainnet is the real show. Understanding these three stages is really important for grasping blockchain projects. Those asking “What is mainnet?” will now understand the differences much better.