Add opcode 0x46 blockreward

[realcodywburns]

From #698 and #669

Simple Summary

This EIP adds an additional opcode to the EVM which will return a finalized blocks reward value.

See commits and files

[nicksavers]

Comments in issue

@5chdn #698 (comment)

Doesn't this even make sense to include it in EIP-649 #669 ?

@realcodywburns #698 (comment)

It could be useful independent of 649. 649 seems more specifically focused on the mechanics of reward reduction on the mainnet ethereum surrounding the metro forks, whereas the opcode itself could be used universally: testnets and sister chains(etc, music, expanse, rootstock)

@realcodywburns #698 (comment)

For further clarity, BLOCKREWARD should return the total value of the Reward Applied(11.3) for block n as defined in section 11, Block Finalisation

@axic #698 (comment)

.... it could be useful to have a way to get both the basic and the total reward, perhaps as a single parameter to the opcode (enum or boolean?).

@vbuterin #698 (comment)

I don't think this is worth the effort at the moment given the impending PoS switch. Once the exact long term consensus incentivization structure is finalized, I think it would make more sense to revisit something like this.

@realcodywburns #698 (comment)

The PoS switch has been "impending" for quite some time and seems to be delayed a bit longer. This eip is also applicable to consortium chains, private chains, and others using multiple consensus algorithms.

[pirapira]

Please use 698 and move this file to EIPS/eip-698.md.

[realcodywburns]

Bump

[axic]

I don't think it is possible to get the "final" block reward for the current block since total gas usage cannot be known in advance.

[axic]

Is this list relevant to the current EIP?

[axic]

Since the total reward cannot be known for the current block, it may be more useful to:

• have an input parameter (block number)
• return 4 outputs: base reward, uncle reward, variable (gas) reward (as proposed here EIP-698: Add opcode 0x46 BLOCKREWARD #698 (comment)) - maybe even outputting total gas consumed

It may be possible to implement this change similar to how #210 is done, that would make it clear that all this detail can only be retrieved for past blocks.

[Arachnid]

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[nicksavers]

EIP-649 is now Final. You may want to update the text to reflect this.