Core Ethereum developer details changes to expect after the Merge

cointelegraph.com:

Core Ethereum (ETH) developer Tim Beiko has outlined a series of suggestions and expectations about the upcoming Merge for applicatio and protocol developers on Ethereum.

For the average users of apps and protocols, Beiko simply suggested testing things out to ensure nothing is broken as more tests are executed. He tweeted on May 24 “Run stuff, if something is unclear or broken, leave a comment.”

Yes! Run stuff, if something is unclear or broken, leave a comment, as you probably aren’t the only one with that issue User PoV guides, how-go’s, etc. are always super useful, too! https://t.co/tyWqgVBSuc

Beiko urged users and developers to “pay attention and make sure you are ready” for the Merge.

The Merge is the highly complex and long-awaited moment when the Ethereum network switches from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus. At that point, it will be known as "Consensus Layer" and is expected to occur in August this year.

Testing on several testnets has been focused on ensuring there are no cross-client issues or that existing applications don’t entirely break after the Merge. Beiko pointed out in a separate Twitter thread that such problems are likely to be rare because “99% of changes affect the protocol layer,” while “there are almost no changes done to the application layer.”

A few thoughts on #TestingTheMerge: 1. Protocol layer testing != application level testing. Client + protocol testing teams focus mostly on changes to the protocol not causing cross-client issues or breaking existing applications.

Beiko stated that developers should be aware there will be two significant changes to how smart contracts work with the Merge. First, he reminded them that the method for beacon randomness, which helps run