> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.theblockchainlibrary.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cairo – a Turing-complete language for efficient scaling of blockchains

> This paper introduces Cairo, a specialized programming language designed for writing provable programs that can be executed on a STARK-based verifiable computat

# Cairo – a Turing-complete language for efficient scaling of blockchains

This paper introduces Cairo, a specialized programming language designed for writing provable programs that can be executed on a STARK-based verifiable computat

## Abstract

This paper introduces Cairo, a specialized programming language designed for writing provable programs that can be executed on a STARK-based verifiable computation system. Cairo enables developers to create complex, Turing-complete logic that is then converted into a proof by a prover and verified by a verifier. This is a foundational step for ZK-Rollups, as it allows for the off-chain execution of smart contracts with on-chain verification, significantly reducing computational overhead. The paper details the Cairo CPU architecture, the instruction set, and the methodology for proving non-deterministic computational tasks. Its contribution is pivotal for the Web3 ecosystem, as it provides a practical pathway toward scaling Ethereum through computational integrity proofs rather than merely relying on data availability, facilitating highly complex, scalable decentralized applications.

**Authors:** Lior Goldberg, Shahar Papini, Michael Riabzev

**Publication:** IACR ePrint Archive

**Publication date:** 2021-01-01

## Key findings

* Introduced a Turing-complete language designed for zero-knowledge proofs.
* Developed a prover-verifier architecture to ensure computational integrity.
* Facilitated highly efficient on-chain verification of off-chain computations.
* Enabled the development of complex, programmable L2 environments.

## Citation

Lior Goldberg, Shahar Papini, Michael Riabzev (2021). Cairo – a Turing-complete language for efficient scaling of blockchains. IACR ePrint Archive. [https://eprint.iacr.org/2021/1063.pdf](https://eprint.iacr.org/2021/1063.pdf)

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**Canonical knowledge ID:** `research:cairo-a-turing-complete-language-for-efficient-scaling-of-blockchains`