What Is an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)? A Beginner's Guide

The Ethereum virtual machine (EVM) is often referred to as “the heart of Ethereum” — which is exactly what it is. Just as the heart pumps blood that distributes oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, an EVM grants developers the ability to create smart contracts and DApps in the Solidity programming language. It’s responsible for the majority of DApps being created today, which is what distinguishes it from Bitcoin and other distributed ledgers. In this article, we’ll dive headfirst into Ethereum virtual machines and break down what they are, how they work and their role in DApp development and the advancement of Web 3.0.

What Is an EVM?

An Ethereum virtual machine is a software platform, or “virtual computer,” used by developers to create decentralized applications (DApps), as well as to execute and deploy smart contracts on the Ethereum system.

Whether you’re a programmer with an interest in DApps or an investor wanting to learn more about the ever-evolving world of EVM crypto, you’ve probably heard of Ethereum virtual machines.To best understand what an EVM is, it helps to first learn a little about its history.

According to Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum’s creator, BitTorrent was the very first DApp. Bram Cohen invented the file-sharing protocol in 2001, and despite several efforts to destroy it, BitTorrent remains very much alive.