Comparison of Distributed Computing Models between Bitcoin and Ethereum Before discussing the distributed computing models of Bitcoin and Ethereum, we need to clarify two levels of distributed computing: 1. * * Layer 1 distributed computing: * * Compared with traditional Internet operating systems, blockchain technology itself is a distributed computing paradigm. 2. * * Second layer distributed computing: * * On top of the blockchain architecture, different blockchain systems can adopt different distributed computing models. Bitcoin: Distributed Computing Bitcoin has achieved decentralization in both levels of distributed computing: *The first layer: The underlying network of Bitcoin is based on the peer-to-peer (P2P) protocol, which enables decentralized distributed computing. *Layer 2: The transaction model of Bitcoin is based on UTXOs (Unscented Transaction Output), each of which contains transaction status information and can be independently verified and calculated. This model achieves decentralized distributed computing at the blockchain level. Therefore, Bitcoin can be considered a typical case of distributed computing. Ethereum: Distributed Centralized Computing Ethereum differs from Bitcoin in terms of distributed computing: *The first layer: Ethereum is also based on P2P network, achieving decentralized distributed computing. *Layer 2: Ethereum adopts an account model, and account status needs to be updated and maintained through smart contracts. Although the execution of smart contracts is distributed, the update of account status relies on a global state, which makes Ethereum exhibit centralized computing characteristics at the blockchain level. Therefore, Ethereum can be considered as a distributed centralized computing model. summary |Features | Bitcoin | Ethereum| | -------------- | ---------------------- | -------------------- | |First layer distributed computing | decentralized (P2P network) | decentralized (P2P network)| |Second layer distributed computing | decentralization (UTXO model) | centralization (account model)| |Distributed computing mode | Distributed distributed computing | Distributed centralized computing| In summary, there are significant differences between Bitcoin and Ethereum in terms of distributed computing. Bitcoin adopts the UTXO model to achieve decentralized distributed computing at the blockchain level, while Ethereum adopts the account model, whose account status updates depend on the global state, presenting the characteristics of centralized computing.