Ethereum Transaction Analysis: How to Understand Obscure OP Codes

As a Python developer, you are probably familiar with the unique transaction format of the Ethereum blockchain. However, when working with transactions that contain non-standard TXs (transactions) and unclear OP codes, it can be difficult to understand them.

In this article, we will delve into the world of Ethereum transactions and explore some examples of non-standard TXs with unclear OP codes. We will also provide explanations and insights to help you better understand these mysterious blocks.

What is a Transaction (TX) in Ethereum?

A transaction on the Ethereum blockchain consists of several components:

• Header: The header contains metadata about the transaction, such as the sender’s public address, the recipient’s public address, and the gas limit.

• Body

  : The main content contains the actual data being transferred between accounts.

• Token: A token is a small value that is added to the body of a transaction to verify its correctness.

Understanding OP codes

OP codes are an important part of Ethereum transactions. They represent instructions that can be executed by the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Here are some common OP codes:

• 0x00: No operation

• 0x01: Push constant

• 0x02: Push variable

• 0x03: Call function

• 0x04: Subtraction

• 0x05: Multiplication

• 0x06: Division

• 0x07: Modulus

• 0x08: Get field offset

• 0x09: Set field offset

Non-standard TX examples with unclear OP codes

Let’s take the example you provided:

scriptPubKey: "...

txHash: 77822fd6663c665104119cb7635352756dfc50da76a92d417ec1a12c518fad69"

Below are some non-standard TX examples with obscure OP codes that may give you an idea about how this mysterious block works:

• 0x00000001: This OP code is used to push a constant value onto the stack. In this case, the target is likely a value representing the transaction hash (e.g. the hexadecimal representation of the block number).

• 0x00000004: This OP code is used to subtract one value from another. The operands are likely passed as constants.

• 0x00000003: This OP code is used to call a function. In this case, the field is probably called “tx.origin”, which contains information about the origin of the transaction.

Information and tips

When working with non-standard TX with unclear OP codes, keep the following in mind:

• Always check scriptPubKey to understand what data is being sent.

• Verify txHash by checking its hexadecimal representation or by using a tool like Etherscan.

*When working with transactions, it is important to understand the roles and values ​​involved.

By analyzing these examples and understanding the OP codes, you will be better prepared to handle more complex Ethereum transactions in your Python code. Happy analyzing!