5.1. Chapter

Throughout this textbook we have tried to build our blockchain step-by-step. For Ethereum, we can’t quite do this. Ethereum is complicated, it achieves functionality through a complex implementation that we will only scratch the surface of in this chapter.

5.1.1. Ethereum Summary

Ethereum, unlike Litecoin or ZCash, is a blockchain completely separate from Bitcoin. It was one of the first unique blockchain implementations after Bitcoin and as of 2022 is the second-largest blockchain by market valuation.

5.1.1.1. Background

5.1.1.2. Ethereum’s Goals

5.1.2. The Ethereum State Machine

5.1.2.1. Transactions

5.1.2.2. Ethereum State

5.1.2.3. Ethereum Blocks

5.1.2.4. EVM

5.1.2.4.1. EVM Bytecode

5.1.3. Smart Contracts

5.1.3.1. How Smart Contracts Work

5.1.3.2. Examples

5.1.4. Ethereum Maintenance

5.1.4.1. Mining

5.1.4.2. Gas

5.1.4.3. Reaching Consensus

5.1.5. Serenity (Ethereum 2.0)

{Inlcude Pros & Cons of Eth here}