In the ACDE Call #181, Ethereum developers discussed the Dencun upgrade and various EIPs for the Pectra upgrade, focusing on network improvement and efficiency. Key points included preparing for Dencun’s mainnet activation, proposals for enhanced security and gas cost efficiency, and strategic planning for future upgrades.
On February 15, 2024, Ethereum’s All Core Developers Execution Call #181 took place, discussing the network’s future upgrades, including the mainnet activation of the Dencun upgrade and various Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs). Chaired by Tim Beiko, Ethereum Foundation Protocol Lead, this bi-weekly meeting series brought developers together to deliberate changes to the execution layer of Ethereum.
The Dencun upgrade is approaching, with a shadow fork planned for testing in a mainnet-like environment. This preparation step is crucial for the smooth roll-out of Dencun, targeted for completion by February 23, with the mainnet activation date set for March 13. The upgrade has received support from Reth, Geth, and Besu client teams, with other teams in the final stages of releasing their versions.
Discussions on the Pectra upgrade included a range of EIPs aimed at improving security, efficiency, and usability of the Ethereum network. Notable proposals included EIP 5806, introducing smart contract functionality to externally owned accounts with enhanced security, and EIP 7557, suggesting a mechanism to distribute gas costs more equitably across transactions accessing the same smart contract data within a block.
Retroactive EIPs were also a focus, with EIP 7610 aiming to amend smart contract creation rules for simplicity and security, and EIP 7523 proposing to eliminate empty accounts from post-merge networks. These discussions highlighted efforts to optimize Ethereum’s operational rules and reduce technical debt.
The call addressed challenges like ensuring Layer-2 rollup readiness for Dencun and concerns around gas calculations for proposed EIPs. It also discussed future considerations, including the impact of upgrades on block builders and validators, and the importance of strategic planning to align with proposed timelines.
Ethereum’s All Core Developers Execution Call #181 demonstrated the community’s dedication to enhancing the network’s security, efficiency, and scalability through collaborative decision-making. These discussions play a crucial role in shaping Ethereum’s future, ensuring it remains a robust platform for decentralized applications.
Image source: Shutterstock
