Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that enables the creation of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). These smart contracts are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement written directly into lines of code. This allows for the automation of various processes, such as the transfer of assets and the tracking of trades, without the need for intermediaries.

Ethereum was created by Vitalik Buterin, a programmer and cryptocurrency researcher, in 2013. He initially proposed the idea in a whitepaper, which outlined the design and purpose of the platform. The Ethereum network went live on July 30, 2015, with the release of the "Frontier" version of the Ethereum software.

One of the key differentiators of Ethereum compared to other blockchain platforms, such as Bitcoin, is its support for smart contracts. Smart contracts allow for the automation of processes and make it possible for developers to create decentralized applications that can run exactly as programmed without any possibility of downtime, censorship, fraud, or third-party interference.

Ethereum's native currency is Ether (ETH), which is used to pay for transactions and computational services on the network. The platform also supports the creation of custom tokens, which can be used to represent assets such as digital representations of real-world assets and can be traded on Ethereum-compatible exchanges.

In short, Ethereum is a powerful and flexible blockchain platform that provides a wide range of potential use cases, including decentralized finance, non-fungible tokens, gaming, prediction markets, identity, and more. It is built on smart contract functionality and allows developers to create decentralized applications that can be run in a trustless, tamper-proof environment.

To code smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain, you need to be familiar with the Solidity programming language. Solidity is a high-level programming language that is designed specifically for building smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain.

Solidity is an object-oriented programming language that is similar in syntax to JavaScript, and includes features such as inheritance, libraries, and user-defined types. Solidity also includes a number of built-in functions and data structures that are specifically designed for smart contract development, such as mappings, events, and the contract self-destruct function.

In addition to Solidity, you will also need to be familiar with the Ethereum blockchain and its architecture. Ethereum is a proof-of-work blockchain that uses the Ethash algorithm to validate transactions and secure the network. Ethereum is also designed to be highly scalable and developer-friendly, with a number of features and tools to help developers build and deploy smart contracts and applications.

To get started with smart contract development on Ethereum, you can visit the Ethereum developer portal, which provides comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and examples to help you learn the Solidity language and the Ethereum blockchain. There are also a number of online communities and resources that can provide additional support and guidance for smart contract development on Ethereum.