Glossary

Explore the Web3 World: Your Guide to ENS/Web3 Terminology

Stepping into the realm of ENS and Web3 can be like entering a new world filled with unique jargon and concepts. Our comprehensive guide is here to demystify these terms, providing you with clear, concise explanations. Whether you're a seasoned Web3 enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this section is your key to understanding the essential terms that define the exciting landscape of Ethereum Name Service (ENS) and the broader Web3 universe. Dive in and empower your Web3 journey with knowledge!

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ENS (Ethereum Name Service)

ENS is a decentralized domain name system built on the Ethereum blockchain. It allows users to have human-readable addresses instead of the traditional long, alphanumeric Ethereum addresses.

.eth Domain

This is a domain suffix specific to ENS. When you see an address like ‘name.eth’, it’s a sign that it’s an ENS domain. These domains are unique and can be purchased by users.

Auction

ENS domains are primarily procured via an auction mechanism. Interested parties place their bids, and the domain goes to the top bidder once the auction concludes.

Avatar / pfp

This refers to the profile picture or graphical representation associated with an ENS domain or user. (Set your Avatar)

Controller

An account empowered to modify the records of a name. Both the Registrant or Controller can change the Controller. (Set Controller)

Deed

Within the ENS framework, a deed is a distinct smart contract that safeguards the funds (in ETH) necessary for bidding on an ENS domain. Post-auction, the highest bid gets secured within this deed.

Expiration Date

The designated date when a registration lapses and necessitates renewal. ENS domains can be renewed by anyone. (Renew ENS Name)

Marketplace

Marketplace refers to a digital platform or venue where users can buy, sell, trade, or even lease ENS domain names. Just as traditional domain names (like .com or .org) can be bought or sold, ENS domains (like .eth) have their own value and can be traded in these specialized marketplaces. Users can buy & list their ENS domains, bid on domains they’re interested in, and trade their domains — similar to traditional NFT Marketplaces.

Name Wrapper

A specialized smart contract enabling the issuance of subdomains (like sub.domain.eth) as individual Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).

Namehash

A specialized algorithm that processes an ENS name to yield a unique cryptographic hash representing that specific name.

Node

This is a unique cryptographic hash that identifies a name.

Owner

The designated entity listed in the ENS registry’s owner field. Owners possess the authority to transfer ownership, determine a resolver or TTL, and establish or reassign subdomains.

Public Resolver

A universal resolver provided by the ENS consortium. It’s the preferred resolver, equipped with an array of features beneficial for domain proprietors.

Records

Datasets like multiple cryptocurrency wallet addresses, hosted content, avatars, emails, descriptions, social media handles, and more linked to the ENS domain. The Controller determines these records. (Set Records)

Registrar

This is a contract designated for the allocation of subdomains. Configurable at any ENS level, they are directed by the registry’s owner field.

Registration

Signifies a registrar’s documentation of a user’s domain ownership. It’s separate from the Registry’s owner field, with registrations housed within the registrar contract, also detailing expiry dates, fees, and more. (Register ENS Names)

Registrant

The specific individual or entity possessing rights over an ENS domain. They command the domain and determine its resolver and other parameters.

Renewal

ENS mandates periodic domain renewals, ensuring domains that are dormant or no longer desired can be repurposed.

Resolver

A resolver is a contract on the Ethereum blockchain tasked with converting readable names into system-friendly addresses and vice versa.

Reverse Resolver

Contrary to a standard resolver that turns names into addresses, a reverse resolver inverts this, converting Ethereum addresses into readable ENS names.

Subdomain

Drawing parallels from conventional domain systems, ENS lets domain owners spawn subdomains under their primary domain, such as ‘shop.myname.eth’ stemming from ‘myname.eth’. (Subnames)

Time-To-Live (TTL)

A configurable setting that instructs the client on the duration for caching records. Ideally, this setting remains unchanged, preserving records on the blockchain.

Top-Level-Domain (TLD)

A TLD is the rightmost segment of a domain name, positioned after the last dot. (f.E. .eth / .x / .block / .nft / .com etc.) Often referred to as domain extensions, TLDs help identify specific attributes of a website, like its purpose, owner, or geographical location. In the evolving web3 ecosystem, new TLDs have emerged, representing decentralized domains on blockchain networks. These web3 TLDs facilitate a more decentralized and user-centric web experience, allowing for seamless integration with decentralized applications and services.

Transfer

In the ENS context, transferring refers to the act of changing ownership of a domain. This means that a new Ethereum address becomes the registrant of the domain. (Transfer your ENS Names)

TXT Record

TXT records are a type of DNS record, and in the context of ENS, they can be used to store arbitrary text data against a domain. This can include data for domain verification, information about the domain, or other metadata.

Web3

Web 3 represents the third era of the web. Unlike the previous versions, Web1 (readable web) and Web2 (read-write web), Web3 introduces a decentralized internet powered by blockchain technology. In this framework, users have control over their own data, identities, and transactions. Web3 enables peer-to-peer interactions, removing the need for intermediaries.

Zone File

A zone file is a text-based file that contains a list of DNS records for a domain. In the ENS context, while it doesn’t use traditional DNS zone files, the concept is similar in terms of mapping human-readable names to machine-readable information.

Zero Address

In the Ethereum and ENS context, the zero address is the Ethereum address that has all zeros. It’s often used in smart contracts and ENS operations to represent an unset address or to burn tokens.

Read more in our Blogpost about Decoding ENS:

🗒️ Decoding ENS