Ethereum Unveils EELS Specification
After more than a year of development, the Ethereum Foundation has unveiled the Ethereum Execution Layer Specification, affectionately known as EELS. This innovative Python reference implementation targets the core elements of an Ethereum execution client with a focus on readability and clarity, catering to programmers seeking a more approachable understanding of the Ethereum ecosystem. This development comes as a successor to the Yellow Paper, aiming to enhance accessibility and bring the specification up to date with post-merge forks.
EELS started as a programmer-friendly supplement for the Yellow Paper. @lightclients, @adietrichs and I were just tired of trying to decipher its cryptic notation: pic.twitter.com/v7A7Qym2Er
— Sam Wilson ยท samwilsn.eth (@_SamWilsn_) August 29, 2023
Practical Tool for Ethereum Developers
EELS is not only a fresh perspective but also a practical tool for developers. It allows for the execution of state tests, alignment with mainnet1, and serves as an experimental ground for new Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs). One of EELS’ notable features is its ability to provide comprehensive protocol snapshots for each fork, including upcoming ones. This snapshot-based approach offers an advantage over EIPs, which typically propose alterations, and production clients that often involve multiple forks within the same code.
Originating in 2021 under the guidance of ConsenSys’ Quilt team and the Ethereum Foundation, the project initially known as eth1.0-spec stemmed from a shared frustration with deciphering the intricate notation of the Yellow Paper. This frustration was particularly evident when trying to comprehend the intricate behaviours of Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) instructions.
Practical Execution Specification
Drawing inspiration from the successful Consensus Layer Specification, the Ethereum community embarked on a journey to craft an executable specification tailored to the execution layer. The result, EELS, represents a major step towards bridging the gap between complex technicalities and practical implementation.
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As of today, EELS is accessible both as a traditional Python repository and as comprehensive documentation. Acknowledging its evolving nature, developers are cautioned about its current raw state that may lack detailed annotations and explanations in English for various components. With Ethereum’s ever-growing importance in the blockchain ecosystem, the introduction of EELS adds a layer of accessibility and pragmatism that’s likely to attract developers seeking a clearer path into the Ethereum execution landscape. As it matures and gathers community input, EELS could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Ethereum’s technical evolution.
