Huff vs Yul: Mastering EVM Storage Optimization for Gas Efficiency

When optimizing Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) storage and gas efficiency, two low-level programming languages are like the Batman and Superman of the blockchain world: Huff and Yul. Both can save your smart contract from the evils of high gas fees, but they each have their own unique superpowers (and weaknesses). In this article, we’ll break down their differences, share some pro tips, and help you decide which hero is right for your project. ⚡️

What is Huff?

Huff is the hardcore, no-nonsense hero of gas optimization. It’s like the martial artist who can pinpoint every single gas unit in your smart contract and cut it down with precision. This low-level language allows direct access to the EVM, making it perfect for creating highly optimized code. But, just like learning to fight crime, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Pros of Huff

• Ultimate Control: Huff gives you the steering wheel. Every single instruction you write is executed exactly as you intended. Want control over every gas unit? Huff’s your guy.

• Best for Gas Savings: Huff gets deep into the nuts and bolts of the EVM, letting you optimize your contract like a gas-saving ninja.

Cons of Huff

• Steep Learning Curve: Let’s face it, Huff is not easy. Writing code in Huff is like trying to read an ancient scroll — it takes time to understand and master.

• Tough to Maintain: Huff can optimize your contract down to the last byte, but maintaining it later? Well, that’s a whole other story. You’ll need a decoder ring just to figure out what you wrote six months ago. 😅

Code Example:

Here’s an example of how you can manually define a storage slot in Huff to optimize gas:

In this example, we define a storage slot at 0x00 and create a macro function LOAD_SLOT to access this value directly. Huff gives you fine-grained control over storage assignment, which can help with EVM storage optimization.

Pro Tip: If you’re using Huff, plan your EVM storage slots carefully. Think of it like packing for a trip — only bring what you need and make sure you’re not wasting gas on unnecessary storage.

What is Yul?

Yul, on the other hand, is more like the friendly neighbourhood superhero. It’s still low-level enough to optimize gas, but it won’t make your head explode trying to understand it. Think of Yul as your trusty sidekick that makes optimization more approachable while still keeping things efficient.

Pros of Yul

• Easy to Read: Compared to Huff, Yul is like reading a comic book instead of an encyclopedia. It’s easier to understand and write while still giving you some solid optimizations.

• Works Well with Solidity: Yul plays nicely with Solidity, making it a good choice if you want to optimize specific parts of your smart contract without going full assembly mode.

Cons of Yul

• Less Fine-Grained Control: Yul doesn’t give you the same fine-tuned control over EVM storage as Huff does. It’s great for optimization, but if you’re looking to squeeze out every last drop of gas, you might hit a ceiling.

• Smaller Ecosystem: Yul doesn’t have as many libraries or tools available as Solidity, so you may need to build some custom logic from scratch.

Code Example:

Here’s how Yul can be used to write optimized loops to reduce gas consumption:

This loop example is straightforward and clean compared to Solidity’s equivalent, making it ideal for batch transactions where optimization is critical.

Pro Tip: Use Yul when you’re dealing with batch transactions. Its loop capabilities can help you cut down on redundant external calls, saving a nice chunk of gas without diving too deep into the EVM’s inner workings.

Tooling and Ecosystem

When it comes to tooling, Huff and Yul both have their own sets of resources, but they are quite different in scope.

Huff Tooling:

• Huff Compiler: The Huff compiler is lightweight but does the job of compiling Huff contracts. You’ll need to be comfortable with the command line for deploying and testing your contracts.

• Huffmate: An emerging IDE tool to help with writing and compiling Huff contracts more efficiently.

• Testing Frameworks: Currently, you’ll need to rely on Solidity-based testing frameworks like Hardhat or Foundry to integrate your Huff code with larger Solidity projects.

Yul Tooling:

• Solidity Compiler Support: The Solidity compiler (solc) comes with built-in support for Yul, making it easy to compile and deploy. Just switch to Yul in your Solidity project.

• Integration: Yul integrates smoothly with Solidity and other Ethereum developer tools, so you can use Hardhat, or Foundry (RIP Truffle) without any extra setup.

• Testing: Testing Yul contracts is as simple as testing Solidity code, making it a more accessible option for developers already familiar with the Ethereum development environment.

Huff vs Yul: How to Choose?

So, which superhero do you call when it’s time to optimize your smart contracts? It all depends on your mission.

If you’re a gas-saving perfectionist who loves getting into the weeds of EVM storage, Huff is the way to go. But if you want a more balanced approach with easier readability and still plenty of optimizations, Yul is your go-to sidekick.

When to Use Huff:

• You want to go all-in on gas optimization and don’t mind the challenge.

• You need full control over EVM storage and are ready to write low-level code.

• You love assembly (or at least, you tolerate it). 🛠️

When to Use Yul:

• You want a balance between optimization and readability.

• You’re working on a contract with lots of batch transactions or repetitive actions.

• You want to integrate with Solidity but need to optimize specific sections.

Pro Tips for Working with Huff and Yul

1. Batch Operations in Yul: If you’re working with loops or batch processes, Yul’s ability to handle repetitive tasks efficiently will save you a ton of gas.

2. Storage Planning in Huff: In Huff, plan out your EVM storage slots carefully — organizing storage upfront will pay off in gas savings later.

3. Hybrid Approach: Use Solidity for most of your logic, and drop into Yul or Huff for gas-heavy sections. It’s the best of both worlds!

4. Start with Yul: If you’re new to EVM optimization, start with Yul to get comfortable. Once you feel more confident, dive into Huff for maximum efficiency.

Conclusion

Both Huff and Yul are powerful tools for mastering EVM storage optimization in my opinion. Huff is the go-to if you’re looking to push the limits of gas savings and have the patience for low-level coding. Yul, on the other hand, offers a more readable, balanced approach to optimizing specific sections of your contract.

Whichever path you choose, mastering these languages will level up your smart contract development skills and help you write efficient, scalable applications on the Ethereum blockchain. Good luck, and may your gas fees be low! 💸