Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP)

Understanding Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP)

An Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) is a document that outlines the standards for the Ethereum community. It serves as a means for community members to propose and advocate for changes within the Ethereum ecosystem. These changes can pertain to various aspects such as client APIs, core protocol standards, code modifications, and contract standards.

EIPs come in different types, each serving a specific purpose:

• The Standard Track: This type of EIP encompasses changes that have a broad impact on most or all Ethereum implementations, including alterations to the network protocol.
• Core: Core EIPs require a consensus fork and often involve discussions regarding non-core development changes.
• Networking: Networking EIPs focus on enhancing network protocol specifications, such as devp2p (EIP8) and the Ethereum Subprotocol.
• Interface: Interface EIPs aim to improve client standards and specifications, including API/RPC standards and specifications.
• ERC: ERC EIPs establish application-level standards and conventions, covering areas like name registries and token standards.
• Meta: Meta EIPs introduce changes and processes that apply to parts other than the Ethereum protocol, following a similar structure to Standard Track EIPs.
• Informational: Informational EIPs provide guidelines for designing Ethereum. While users and implementers can choose to ignore them, they offer valuable insights and recommendations from the Ethereum community.

Once an EIP is submitted, it undergoes several processes to determine whether the proposed changes should be implemented. These processes include:

• Draft: A draft EIP is openly being considered and reviewed.
• Last Call: An EIP in the last call stage has undergone initial consideration and is ready for review by the community.
• Final (Non-core): A final EIP (non-core) is in the last call stage for a minimum of two weeks and has addressed all raised technical concerns.
• Final (Core): A final EIP (core) is approved by Core developers or intended for implementation in future hard forks.
• Deferred: A deferred EIP is not immediately adopted but is being considered for potential future adoption.

EIPs play a crucial role in shaping the Ethereum ecosystem, allowing community members to propose and implement changes that enhance the platform’s functionality and usability.