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Keccak256 Implementation Guide

Tevm provides two Keccak256 implementations optimized for different deployment scenarios. All share the same data-first API, enabling transparent algorithm swapping.

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Implementation Comparison

ImplementationBundle SizeInit RequiredPlatform Support
WASM (Default)Smaller than pure JSYes (async)All modern browsers/runtimes
Pure TypeScript~25KB (@noble)NoUniversal

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When to Use Each Implementation

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WASM (Default)

Use when:
  • Default choice for most applications
  • Better performance than pure JavaScript
  • Smaller bundle size than pure JavaScript alternatives
Characteristics: 
import { Keccak256 } from '@tevm/voltaire/crypto/Keccak256';

const hash = Keccak256.hash(data);
// WASM implementation
  • Pros: Better performance, smaller bundle
  • Cons: Async init required
  • Bundle: Smaller than @noble/hashes

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Pure TypeScript

Use when:
  • Need to avoid WASM dependency
  • Debugging or development scenarios
  • Specific compatibility requirements
Characteristics: 
import { Keccak256Ts } from '@tevm/voltaire/crypto/keccak256.ts';

// No initialization needed
const hash = Keccak256Ts.hash(data);
  • Pros: Zero setup, runs everywhere, synchronous, no WASM
  • Cons: Larger bundle than WASM
  • Bundle: ~25KB (minified @noble/hashes)

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Platform Compatibility

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Browsers

  • ✅ WASM (Default)
  • ✅ Pure TypeScript

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Node.js / Bun / Deno

  • ✅ WASM (Default)
  • ✅ Pure TypeScript

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Edge Runtimes (Cloudflare, Vercel)

  • ✅ WASM (Default)
  • ✅ Pure TypeScript

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Initialization Requirements

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Synchronous (No Init)

Pure TypeScript implementation is ready immediately: 
import { Keccak256Ts } from '@tevm/voltaire/crypto/keccak256.ts';

// Use immediately
const hash = Keccak256Ts.hash(data);

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Asynchronous (Init Required)

WASM variant requires async initialization: 
import { Keccak256Wasm } from '@tevm/voltaire/crypto/keccak256.wasm';

// Initialize once at startup
await Keccak256Wasm.init();

// Check if ready
if (Keccak256Wasm.isReady()) {
  const hash = Keccak256Wasm.hash(data);
}
Important: WASM init is idempotent - calling init() multiple times is safe.

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Bundle Size

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WASM (Default)

Smaller than pure JavaScript alternatives:
  • Zig stdlib Keccak-256 implementation
  • Part of main WASM bundle
  • Smaller than @noble/hashes when considering full implementation

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Pure TypeScript

Includes @noble/hashes dependencies:
  • Full @noble/hashes/sha3 module (~25KB)
  • Tree-shakeable (only Keccak-256 if unused)

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Selection Decision Tree

Need Keccak256?
├─ Need to avoid WASM dependency?
│  ├─ Yes → Pure TypeScript
│  └─ No → WASM (Default)
└─ Async init acceptable?
   ├─ Yes → WASM (better performance, smaller bundle)
   └─ No → Pure TypeScript

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Migration Examples

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From Pure TypeScript to WASM

// Before
import { Keccak256Ts } from '@tevm/voltaire/crypto/keccak256.ts';
const hash = Keccak256Ts.hash(data);

// After (minimal change)
import { Keccak256Wasm } from '@tevm/voltaire/crypto/keccak256.wasm';
await Keccak256Wasm.init(); // Add at startup
const hash = Keccak256Wasm.hash(data); // Same API

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Conditional Selection

// Select implementation based on requirements
const Keccak256Impl = await (async () => {
  if (typeof WebAssembly !== 'undefined') {
    // WASM available - use default
    const { Keccak256Wasm } = await import('tevm/crypto/keccak256.wasm');
    await Keccak256Wasm.init();
    return { Keccak256: Keccak256Wasm };
  }

  // Fallback to pure TypeScript
  const { Keccak256Ts } = await import('tevm/crypto/keccak256.ts');
  return { Keccak256: Keccak256Ts };
})();

// Use selected implementation
const hash = Keccak256Impl.Keccak256.hash(data);