Ethereum: What is EVM?

EVM : 

The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is a decentralized runtime environment that executes smart contracts. It is the core component of the Ethereum blockchain and is responsible for processing and validating all transactions on the network.

 

The EVM is a stack-based virtual machine, which means that it uses a stack to store data and instructions. The stack is a last-in-first-out (LIFO) data structure, which means that the last item added to the stack is the first item to be removed.

 

The EVM is also a deterministic virtual machine, which means that the same input will always produce the same output. This is important for ensuring the security and reliability of the Ethereum network.

 

The EVM executes smart contracts by processing their bytecode. Bytecode is a low-level language that is converted from Solidity code. The EVM executes bytecode instructions one at a time, and each instruction has a specific cost in gas. Gas is a unit of account that is used to measure the computational resources required to execute a smart contract.

 

The EVM is also responsible for maintaining the state of the Ethereum blockchain. The state of the blockchain includes all of the accounts and contracts on the network, as well as their balances and storage.

 

Here are some of the key features of the EVM:

• Decentralized: The EVM is decentralized, which means that it is not controlled by any single entity. This makes it more secure and resistant to censorship.
• Deterministic: The EVM is deterministic, which means that the same input will always produce the same output. This is important for ensuring the security and reliability of the Ethereum network.
• Stack-based: The EVM is a stack-based virtual machine, which means that it uses a stack to store data and instructions. This makes the EVM more efficient and easier to implement.
• Gas-based: The EVM is gas-based, which means that users must pay gas to execute smart contracts. This helps to prevent malicious actors from spamming the network.

The EVM is a powerful tool that can be used to create a wide variety of decentralized applications. It is the foundation of the Ethereum blockchain and is essential for the development of the Web3 ecosystem.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Ethereum-architecture-3EVM-The-Ethereum-Virtual-Machine-serves-as-the-environment-in_fig3_366170214