A comprehensive understanding of the Ethscriptions protocol and how it differs from Layer 2
Ethscriptions protocol is not L2; it is a new exploration of scalability.Author: Blue Fox Notes
The Ethscriptions inscription protocol (hereinafter referred to as the eths protocol) is a protocol for building and sharing native digital assets on the Ethereum blockchain. Ethscriptions began in 2016. However, the eths protocol itself was inspired by the btc inscription protocol and was launched by Tom Lehman. To date, there have been over 2 million inscriptions on Ethereum.
The eths protocol not only brings inscriptions on the Ethereum chain but also attempts to explore new possibilities for Ethereum L1 scaling. In simple terms, it has several key points:
It utilizes the transaction call data calldata on Ethereum.
The eths protocol uses Ethereum transaction call data calldata to store data instead of smart contracts, which has the potential to reduce costs. So, how is calldata utilized? In a regular transfer transaction, users send ETH, and calldata acts as an "annotation field," which is generally left blank. If interacting with a smart contract, the "function name and parameters" information is added to the calldata field. Ethscriptions also uses a similar method, encoding data into calldata, but not targeting smart contracts; it has a concept of a dumb contract (the name is interesting, contrasting sharply with smart contract). In this way, ethscriptions exist permanently on the Ethereum chain, suitable for building native digital assets, etc.
No Use of Smart Contracts
As mentioned above, it has its own concept of a dumb contract, meaning that the eths protocol itself does not use smart contracts for storage and execution. Its method of calculating state is to apply deterministic protocol rules to Ethereum transaction call data calldata. In short, the eths protocol bypasses the use of smart contracts for on-chain data storage by utilizing calldata, attempting to achieve a lower-cost storage method.
ESC VM Brings New Narrative
Regarding the eths protocol, the ESC VM (ESC Virtual Machine) from the ESIP-4 proposal is a development that has garnered significant attention because it carries greater imagination. Specifically, the ESC VM is a new protocol built on ethscriptions. It uses ethscriptions as computer instructions (here, ethscriptions have a new purpose), allowing users to interact with specific programs.
The specific programs here are mainly dumb contracts. That is, ESC VM + Dumb Contract can execute commands, such as creating new contracts, calling existing contracts, etc. In simple terms, in Ethscriptions, a specific format must be used to create Ethscriptions so that these Ethscriptions are recognized as "normal ethscriptions" by the ESC VM. These eths inscriptions can be computer instructions, enabling "deployment" and "calling." "Deployment" creates a new Dumb Contract, while "calling" invokes state-changing functions on existing Dumb Contracts. Once a dumb contract is deployed, anyone can call its functions.
The ESC VM provides an environment similar to the EVM for Dumb Contracts. However, the ESC VM is not yet a true virtual machine; it currently only applies to specific contracts (Dumb Contracts). The eths protocol plans to introduce general computing in the future, which brings the possibility of a new narrative.
Currently, dumb contracts do not support direct payments. There is no concept of ether here; it needs to be "bridged" to the dumb contract via smart contracts. Additionally, it does not yet support arbitrary creation of dumb contracts. The code for dumb contracts must remain consistent with the rules defined in the ESIP process for other Eths protocol rules.
The eths Protocol is Not L2, but a New Exploration of Scaling
The eths protocol explores a different technical route than L2. In terms of Ethereum's scalability, there is still significant room for development. Importantly, different technical routes involve certain trade-offs, and there is currently no question of replacing one with another.
For the eths protocol, it currently achieves relatively simple functions through Dumb Contracts and the ESC VM, while its greatest narrative comes from the potential for general computing in the ESC VM. If there is a real opportunity to reach this point in the future, it could bring more application scenarios for eths and further enrich and prosper the Ethereum ecosystem.
