> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://satz-one.gitbook.io/satz_docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://satz-one.gitbook.io/satz_docs/core-principles/what-is-evm.md).

# What is EVM?

The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is the runtime environment for smart contracts in Ethereum. It is a crucial component of the Ethereum blockchain that enables the execution of code exactly as intended. Here are some key points about the EVM:

* **Turing Complete:** The EVM is Turing complete, meaning it can perform any computation given enough resources.
* **Isolation:** Each smart contract runs in a completely isolated environment, ensuring that code execution does not affect other parts of the system.
* **Deterministic:** The same input will always produce the same output, ensuring predictability and reliability.
* **Gas Mechanism:** Transactions and computations on the EVM consume "gas," which is a measure of computational effort required. Users pay for gas to execute operations, preventing abuse of network resources.