Vitalik Buterin recently announced Ethereum’s next phase, called ‘Purge’ which aims to simplify the protocol and reduce node resource burdens. This critical stage entails ridding the network of outdated data and streamlining its operations.
Purge significantly reduces the storage needs for node operators and the technical demands on the Ethereum protocol by reducing historical data storage and streamlining network complexity.
One key step forward in this path is the Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP)-6780, which was introduced during the Dencun hard fork. This proposal significantly reduces the functionality of the “SELFDESTRUCT” code, improving protocol simplicity and strengthening security protections.
Following the adoption of EIP-6780, the maximum number of storage slots that can be modified in a single block has been set to about a gas limit / 5000. Buterin plans to further streamline by deleting SELFDESTRUCT in future EIPs, offering even better efficiency in Ethereum’s growth.
EIP-4444, often known as the “Purge,” proposes using history expiration to limit Ethereum’s historical data storage. It allows nodes to prune blocks that are more than a year old, lowering the amount of data required by fully synced nodes. Buterin expects that this will improve node decentralization by disseminating historical data around the network. Furthermore, Geth’s new code reduction removes pre-Merge (PoW) functionality, which streamlines processes. After Dencun, a storage window reduction to 18 days will reduce node data bandwidth.
Buterin also emphasizes the need to purge precompile Ethereum contracts due to lower demand and consensus flaws, signaling a shift in Ethereum’s approach to complexity management.
