Ethereum's Execution Layer: A Simplified Overview

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when you make a transaction on Ethereum? Whether you're transferring ether, sending tokens, or interacting with a smart contract, there's a lot going on under the hood. This is where Ethereum’s execution layer comes into play. It’s the engine that drives the Ethereum network, ensuring that every transaction is processed, every contract is executed, and every state change is accurately recorded on the blockchain.
At the core of the execution layer is the  Ethereum Virtual Machine  (EVM), which serves as a decentralized computer running on the Ethereum network. When you initiate a transaction or deploy a smart contract, the EVM is responsible for executing the associated bytecode. This bytecode is compiled from high-level programming languages like Solidity into low-level instructions known as opcodes.
Each opcode represents a specific operation that the EVM can perform. For eg ADD (for addition) and MSTORE (for storing data). The EVM processes these instructions in a precise sequence, ensuring that the contract’s logic is faithfully executed and that state changes as a result of the transaction are properly applied to the blockchain. You can read more about each opcode  here .
 Gas  is another important aspect of Ethereum’s execution layer, acting as a unit of measurement for computational work. Each opcode of the EVM consumes a certain amount of gas, and users must pay gas fees for that. Gas prices are dynamic and can fluctuate based on network demand, influencing the cost of executing complex contracts or high-frequency transactions. This fee mechanism helps prevent the network from being overwhelmed by resource-intensive or malicious activities. The total gas fee consists of two parts: the base fee and the priority fee. The base fee is determined by the network, and it represents the minimum amount required for your transaction to be accepted as valid. In addition to this, you can include a priority fee, which acts as a tip to incentivize validators.
There’s much more to the execution layer than what we’ve covered here. To dive deeper into each component and understand their roles in greater detail, visit our academy page. Exploring these topics will not only help you for Attackathon but also provide a richer understanding of the Ethereum ecosystem. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to deepen your knowledge!

Useful resources:
  •  https://github.com/ethereumbook/ethereumbook/blob/develop/13evm.asciidoc 
  •  https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/evm/  
  •  https://noxx.substack.com/p/evm-deep-dives-the-path-to-shadowy?s=r&ref=decipherclub.com  
  •  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03nOd8n4aig 
  •  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc_WiewVfT4&t=71s  
  •  https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/gas/  
  •  https://www.evm.codes/