# What is UserOperation?

The ERC-4337 process begins with a UserOperation, which is similar to a transaction but represents the user's intention to transact. A UserOperation can encompass multiple requests and additional data, enabling a Smart Contract Account (SCA) to execute the intended transactions.

While UserOperations share similarities with traditional transactions, they have distinctive features:

* <mark style="color:blue;">**Additional Fields:**</mark> UserOperations incorporate new elements into the transaction structure, such as EntryPoint, Bundler, Paymaster, and Aggregator.
* <mark style="color:blue;">**Separate Mempool:**</mark> Instead of the standard mempool, UserOperations are sent to an alternative mempool. Here, bundlers collate them into transactions for inclusion in a block.

{% hint style="info" %}
Today, transaction inputs are specific. For instance; '_Swap 2K USDC for 1 ETH_'

In contrast, UserOperations can be decorated with additional metadata to be more intent-focused. For instance; '_I want to trade 2K USDC for the most amount of ETH possible_'.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://60765551-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ft5aALNdCiFoUiLotRi89%2Fuploads%2FD3GxqgTQnOyD67zVyttq%2FUserOperations.png?alt=media&#x26;token=00e87011-4c4d-4884-a092-c227372a00e4" alt=""><figcaption><p>UserOperation</p></figcaption></figure>

> **Sources**: [Ethereum](https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-4337), [ERC4337.io](https://www.erc4337.io/), [Alchemy](https://www.alchemy.com/learn/account-abstraction)
