The transition to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) introduced the Casper protocol , which is critical for architects to understand because it fundamentally changes how and when a transaction is considered "settled". 1. Casper FFG (Friendly Finality Gadget)
: Self-executing programs typically written in Solidity that define the business logic of an application. Casper: The Finality Engine Ethereum for Architects and Developers: With Ca...
: Interprets and executes data via the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) . The transition to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) introduced the Casper
: Establishes agreement on the canonical chain. Casper: The Finality Engine : Interprets and executes
: It uses a two-phase commit process (justification and finality) across 32-block segments called epochs.
For architects and developers, Ethereum represents more than just a cryptocurrency platform; it is a programmable, decentralized infrastructure designed for secure, distributed computing. Understanding this ecosystem requires a shift from traditional centralized paradigms to a model where consensus and finality—specifically through the protocol—dictate the reliability and performance of applications. Core Architectural Foundations