RLP and SSZ: Understanding Serialization Design in Ethereum

This article explores RLP and SSZ, two serialization formats used in Ethereum.Serialization and deserialization are fundamental operations in blockchain protocols, used for tasks such as hash computation, data persistence, and peer-to-peer communication. Rather than relying on general-purpose formats such as Protocol Buffers, Ethereum defines their own serialization rules to reflect their design priorities.In this article, we will examine the specifications and design contexts of RLP and SSZ to understand why they were introduced and what problems they are intended to solve.