Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is a decentralized runtime environment that executes smart contracts on the Ethereum network. It is a key component of the Ethereum blockchain, allowing developers to deploy and execute code on the network.
The EVM is like a virtual computer that runs on all nodes of the Ethereum network, processing transactions and executing smart contracts in a secure and deterministic manner. It ensures that all computations produce the same results across all network nodes, maintaining consensus on the blockchain.
Smart contracts are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code. These contracts are deployed on the Ethereum blockchain and executed by the EVM. This allows for trustless and decentralized interactions between parties, as the code enforces the terms of the agreement without the need for intermediaries.
Overall, the EVM plays a crucial role in enabling the functionality of smart contracts and decentralized applications on the Ethereum blockchain, providing a secure and reliable environment for executing code on a global scale.