The upcoming Dencun upgrade for Ethereum is set to roll out across several testnets before going live on the main network. The testnets, including Goerli, Sepolia, and Holesky, will provide developers with a controlled environment to fine-tune the upgrade and ensure its smooth operation.
One of the main debates among the core development team is whether to prioritize the implementation of Verkle trees, a data structure that optimizes storage and access to information on Ethereum. Some developers argue that focusing solely on Verkle trees is necessary due to their complexity and the time investment required for effective implementation.
However, others suggest pursuing a smaller feature fork alongside the Verkle development. This would allow for a more balanced approach and potentially avoid a significant delay in the introduction of new execution layer (EL) features.
While the focus on Verkle trees may postpone the release of new EL features for 12 to 24 months or longer, there is an understanding that minor updates to the Ethereum Layer (EL) might still be necessary. For instance, changes to the gas limit for data availability are crucial for Ethereum’s scaling solutions and require coordination across both the execution layer and the consensus layer (CL).
The Prague upgrade, which encompasses various proposals, aims to refine the Ethereum platform on different layers. These include the introduction of precompiles for specific cryptographic operations, a new EVM object format (EOF), and modifications to smart contract capabilities.
The Prague upgrade is expected to have a significant impact on the future of the Ethereum ecosystem. It represents a step forward in ensuring that Ethereum remains a secure, efficient, and scalable platform for decentralized applications.
Please note that this article was originally published on U.Today.
