Ethereum Foundation introduces new execution layer specification EELS

The Ethereum Foundation has publicly introduced the Ethereum Execution Layer Specification (EELS) — a new standard for Ethereum execution clients focused on readability and clarity.

The Python-based reference implementation is intended as a more programmer-friendly “spiritual successor” to the Yellow Paper — a formal definition and technical specification of the Ethereum protocol — according to an Ethereum Foundation blog post.

EELS offers up-to-date compatibility with the Ethereum mainnet, testing capabilities and suitability for prototyping new improvements to the Ethereum network.

An Ethereum client verifies data against the protocol rules and keeps the network secure. Ethereum nodes operate two types of client software applications: execution and consensus. The execution client processes new network transactions via the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and holds the latest data. The consensus client implements Ethereum’s proof-of-stake consensus algorithm.

Why it matters

EELS is designed to make Ethereum more accessible to programmers. EELS provides complete snapshots of the Ethereum protocol every time there's an upgrade. This makes tracking changes easier, especially when compared to Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) that just suggest modifications, and production clients that combine several upgrades in their code, adding to complexity.

Developers can use it just like any other Python library. Furthermore, tests written for EELS can also be applied to production clients, ensuring consistency and reliability.

EELS’ ability to display differences between forks is invaluable for developers who need to understand the nuances between versions of the protocol, the Ethereum Foundation said.

What’s next?

The Ethereum Foundation added that it wants EELS to become the go-to specification tool for EIPs — the first place EIP authors prototype their proposals and a principal reference for how Ethereum works.

Last month marked eight years since the Ethereum Foundation announced the rollout of the network.