How are EIPs processed?

EIPs are processed through a standardized process that includes several steps:

1. Drafting

During the drafting stage, the author(s) create a formal proposal document that outlines the proposed change or improvement to the Ethereum network. The document must follow a specific format and include relevant details such as the proposed change, the reasoning behind it, potential benefits and drawbacks, and any technical specifications. The draft EIP is submitted to the Ethereum community for review.

2. Review

The review stage is an opportunity for the community to provide feedback on the proposed EIP. Feedback can come in various forms such as comments, suggestions for improvement, or technical reviews. The feedback is collected and analyzed by the author(s), who may revise the EIP based on the community’s feedback. This stage is critical in ensuring that proposed changes are thoroughly scrutinized by the community before being accepted.

3. Last Call

Once the EIP has been revised based on community feedback, it is considered ready for final comments before acceptance. This is known as the “Last Call” stage. During this stage, the community is invited to review the final draft of the EIP and provide any additional feedback. If there are no major issues or objections raised during this stage, the EIP can move on to acceptance.

4. Acceptance

The final stage of the EIP process is acceptance. If the EIP has received sufficient support and no major issues or objections have been raised during the review and last call stages, it is considered accepted by the community. The EIP is then included in the next protocol update and becomes part of the Ethereum Improvement Proposal system.

5. Implementation

Once an EIP is accepted, it must be implemented in the Ethereum client software by the developers. The implementation process can vary in complexity depending on the nature of the proposed changes. Developers must ensure that the implementation adheres to the specifications outlined in the EIP and that it is compatible with the existing Ethereum network.

6. Testing

After implementation, the EIP is tested to ensure it works as intended and does not introduce any new bugs or vulnerabilities to the network. Developers perform extensive testing to ensure that the EIP is stable and does not have any unintended consequences.

7. Activation

Once the EIP has been implemented and tested, it is activated on the Ethereum network during the next protocol update. This is typically done through a hard fork, which requires all nodes to update their software to the new version.

8. Monitoring

The EIP is monitored after activation to ensure it is functioning properly and that there are no unforeseen issues or vulnerabilities. If any issues arise, the community may propose new EIPs to address them. The monitoring process is ongoing to ensure the stability and security of the Ethereum network.

EIPs are formal proposals to improve the Ethereum blockchain. EIPs are similar to Bitcoin Improvement Proposals (BIPs) and are a way for the Ethereum community to suggest, discuss, and implement changes to the Ethereum network.