Ether (ETH) is one of the second-largest cryptocurrencies, according to the Coin Market Cap. And you’re not alone if you use the phrases Ethereum and ETH interchangeably in conversation.

However, there is a distinction to be made between the cryptocurrency ETH and the Ethereum network. Like most cryptos, Ethereum is a hybrid of a digital asset and a blockchain. The Ethereum network is a smart contract-focused blockchain.

Smart contracts are used to develop programs for a number of reasons, including the usage of decentralized apps (DApps). This is because of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), they are able to do so.

Let’s take a closer look at this topic and understand it in depth.

Before we move forward and learn about Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), it is very important to understand the concept of smart contracts.

What are smart contracts?

Smart contracts are algorithms that operate on the Ethereum blockchain. A contract is a collection of data and code stored at an Ethereum address. It’s a cryptocurrency account that exists. They may send transactions over the network just like any other account, but instead of being managed by a user, they are released to the network and function according to their programming.

Registered users can then communicate with the smart contract. This requires sending transactions that perform the functions defined in the contract. Smart contracts have many characteristics: they utilize code to enforce pre-determined rules, they cannot be deleted, and transactions using them cannot be reversed.

Here comes the EVM notion. You should be familiar with the phrase Ethereum Virtual Machine if you’re seeking to create a smart contract on the Ethereum network (EVM). In general, virtual machines establish a layer of abstraction between both the running code and the running machine. This layer is necessary to improve software portability and guarantee that applications are separated from one another and their host.

Ethereum Virtual Machine – Definition

The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is a sophisticated, specialized software virtual stack that executes contract bytecode and is built into every Ethereum node. Simply said, EVM is a software architecture that enables developers to create decentralized Ethereum applications (DApps). This virtual computer houses all Ethereum accounts and smart contracts.

Contracts are often written in high-level programming languages like Solidity and then compiled into EVM bytecode. This means the machine code is isolated from the host computer’s network, disk, and other functions. Every node in the Ethereum network runs an EVM instance, which allows them to agree on the same set of instructions to be carried out.

The EVM is Turing complete, which implies it can finish every logical step in a computation. Let’s first have a better understanding of Turing completeness.

A quick introduction to Turing completeness

The phrase “Turning machines” was coined by Alan Turing, a well-known computer scientist.

Turing machines, also known as automatic machines, are hypothetical machines that exemplify Turing’s concept of non-human or machine thinking. The cognitive process is guided by algorithms.

Such a computer, according to Turing’s paper, would have to process a reel of tape containing a line of symbols or functions that could be switched back and forth. To transition between these functions, a read/write head might be utilized. As a result, the machine would be able to digest and alter symbols. This machine could only concentrate on one “state” at a time.

Because they constitute the cornerstone of Ethereum Virtual Machine’s idea and design, understanding them is vital.

Purpose of an Ethereum Virtual Machine

The EVM’s purpose is to determine the overall status of Ethereum for each block on the blockchain.

Ethereum, like all other blockchain-based networks, has its own native currency (ETH) and uses a distributed ledger to log transactions while enforcing certain restrictions on how users interact with the network. The smart contract features of Ethereum, on the other hand, add a further layer of capability.

The second layer is known as a “distributed state machine.” At its most basic level, Ethereum’s state is a massive database including all ETH accounts and balances.

Ethereum’s state is also a machine state, capable of changing each new block and running any form of machine code according to a set of rules. The Ethereum Virtual Machine specifies the rules that govern how the machine changes state with each new block.

Advantages of Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)

• Anyone can create their own DApp using the EVM. There are various applications for this sort of software, and it isn’t limited to a specific demographic or individuals with a lot of money or connections.

• Smart contracts have several potential advantages. Non-fungible tokens are a recent example (NFTs). Using NFTs, anybody can create digital art and trade it on a decentralized marketplace. This democratizes previously inaccessible virtual access to the art market.

Disadvantages of Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)

• The EVM system isn’t completely decentralized. The vast majority of Ethereum nodes run on centralized cloud servers such as Amazon Web Services. If the holders of these services determine they don’t like Ethereum for whatever reason, the nodes might be switched off, leading the network to be harmed or destroyed. This has happened before, for example, with some social networking apps.

• The EVM necessitates some technical expertise. The EVM is only available to individuals who are unable to code. The creation of more user-friendly interfaces is still in progress. Again, there are tools with graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that allow nearly anybody to develop NFTs and utilize related markets.

Final words

Since Ethereum is a transaction-based “state” machine, it may be used to implement any transaction-based state machine notion. Developers may utilize practically any Ethereum virtual machine (EVM) specification to generate smart contracts for a variety of reasons.

Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency is not a legal tender and is currently unregulated. Kindly ensure that you undertake sufficient risk assessment when trading cryptocurrencies as they are often subject to high price volatility. The information provided in this section doesn't represent any investment advice or WazirX's official position. WazirX reserves the right in its sole discretion to amend or change this blog post at any time and for any reasons without prior notice.