EVM

The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is the core component of the Ethereum blockchain, responsible for executing smart contracts and managing the state of the network. It acts as a decentralized computer, maintaining a global state and executing program instructions defined in smart contracts. Key features include:

  • State Machine: Executes transactions and changes the blockchain state.

  • Deterministic Execution: Given the same input, it will always produce the same output.

  • Isolated Execution: Executes code in a sandboxed environment.

References:

  • Ethereum Yellow Paper: The authoritative technical document that defines the EVM and its operational mechanisms.

Learning Resources

Tutorials and Guides

  • EVM Playground: An interactive platform for experimenting with EVM opcodes and bytecode. It provides detailed explanations and visualizations of how EVM executes opcodes.

    • Accessing Constant Variables: Learn how to define and use constant variables in EVM. Link

    • Function Parameters from Calldata: Understand how to access function parameters using calldata. Link

    • Testing Macros in EVM.codes: Build and test functions using raw EVM bytecode. Link

    • General EVM Playground: Link

EVM Cheatsheet: A comprehensive guide detailing EVM architecture, functionalities, and operational mechanisms. It covers:

  • EVM Architecture: Stack, memory, storage, and instruction set.

  • Bytecode and Opcodes: Detailed explanations of EVM bytecode and commonly used opcodes.

  • Memory vs. Storage: Differences and use cases.

  • Gas and Gas Management: Understanding gas costs and optimization techniques.

Academic Research

  • Smart Contract Decompilation: Learn how to decompile EVM bytecode back into high-level languages like Solidity. Tools like Mythril, Ethersplay, or Porosity are used for this purpose.

  • EVM Execution Model: Explore how EVM executes opcodes, manages memory and storage, and handles transactions.

Tools for EVM Development

  • EVM From Scratch: A project that guides you through implementing your own EVM in various programming languages. It helps in understanding the core mechanics of EVM.

  • EVM Puzzles: A collection of interactive puzzles designed to help you practice and understand EVM operations.

Community and Discussion

  • EVM Learning Manual: A curated list of resources for learning EVM, maintained by the blockchain community.

  • Stack Overflow: A platform where you can find answers to common EVM-related questions and participate in discussions.

Practical Examples and Use Cases

  • Contract Address Generation: Learn how contract addresses are generated using sender address and nonce.

  • Bytecode Decompilation: Understand the process of converting bytecode into opcodes and reconstructing high-level code.

  • Storage Management: Explore how EVM handles storage variables, including writing to and reading from storage slots.

References

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