eips
Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) are documents that propose changes to the Ethereum network, outlining technical specifications for new features, processes, or information.
Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) are the formal mechanism by which changes and upgrades are proposed, discussed, and adopted within the Ethereum ecosystem. They serve as a comprehensive documentation standard for introducing new features, improving existing ones, or defining standards for the network. An EIP typically includes a clear technical specification, a rationale explaining the need for the change, and details about its implementation and potential impacts. The process involves several stages: drafting, reviewing by the community and core developers, and potentially reaching consensus for inclusion in a network upgrade (hard fork). EIPs cover a wide range of topics, including protocol changes (like EIP-1559 for fee burning or EIP-4844 for proto-danksharding), smart contract standards (like ERC-20 for fungible tokens or ERC-721 for NFTs), networking improvements, and core library standards. The EIP process fosters transparency, collaboration, and ensures that changes to the Ethereum network are well-vetted, robust, and agreed upon by the community.
graph LR
Center["eips"]:::main
Pre_economics["economics"]:::pre --> Center
click Pre_economics "/terms/economics"
Rel_blockchain_interoperability["blockchain-interoperability"]:::related -.-> Center
click Rel_blockchain_interoperability "/terms/blockchain-interoperability"
Rel_erc_20["erc-20"]:::related -.-> Center
click Rel_erc_20 "/terms/erc-20"
Rel_erc_standards["erc-standards"]:::related -.-> Center
click Rel_erc_standards "/terms/erc-standards"
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🧒 Explain Like I'm 5
They are like suggestion letters for how to improve the [Ethereum](/en/terms/ethereum) internet, explaining the idea and how it would work, so everyone can discuss and decide if it's a good change.
🤓 Expert Deep Dive
EIPs follow a structured process inspired by the Internet Engineering Task Force's (IETF) Request for Comments (RFC) process. They are categorized into Standards Track (Core, Networking, Interface, or Application) and Informational EIPs. Standards Track EIPs represent changes to the Ethereum protocol or define new standards, requiring broad consensus. Core EIPs modify the Ethereum protocol itself, often necessitating hard forks. Interface and Application EIPs define standards for smart contracts and client interactions, respectively. The review process is critical, involving technical scrutiny, security analysis, and community feedback. Successful EIPs are typically implemented by multiple client teams (e.g., Geth, Nethermind, Besu) and activated via coordinated hard forks. The EIP repository on GitHub serves as the central hub for drafting, discussion, and tracking the status of proposals, embodying Ethereum's commitment to open development and decentralized governance.