Just like other contracts, smart contracts involve terms of deals or agreements. However, those terms are created and executed as codes run on the blockchain instead of paper on the lawyer’s desk.
What Exactly Are Smart Contracts in Blockchain?
Smart contracts refer to self-executing contracts with terms of an agreement between sellers and buyers written directly into code lines. The agreements and the code exist across the decentralized blockchain networks.
Using smart contracts makes transactions irreversible, traceable, and transparent. Trusted agreements and transactions are carried out among anonymous and disparate parties without central authorities, external enforcement mechanisms, or legal systems.
Brief History
In 1994, American computer scientist Nick Szabo first proposed smart contracts. He also invented Bit Gold, a virtual currency, in 1998. He is usually rumored to be Bitcoin’s anonymous inventor Satoshi Nakamoto. However, he denied that rumor.
Szabo compared smart contracts to computerized transaction protocols known to execute the terms of a contract. He aimed to extend the functionality of Point of Sale and other electronic transaction methods to the digital realm.
He also proposed in his paper the contract execution for synthetic assets, like bonds and derivatives.
“These new securities are formed by combining securities (such as bonds) and derivatives (options and futures) in a wide variety of ways. Due to computerized analysis of these complex term structures for payments can now be built into standardized contracts and traded with low transaction costs,” Szabo wrote.
Many of his predictions in the paper occurred. For instance, derivate trading is currently conducted through computer networks with the use of complex structures.
How Do Smart Contracts Work?
Smart contracts are capable of automating any kind of exchange virtually without human intermediaries.
Ethereum is currently the most famous smart contract platform. However, other blockchains, such as Algorand, Polkadot, Tron, Tezos, Neo, and EOS, can run them.
Smart contracts are created and deployed on a blockchain, and their code is publicly verifiable and transparent. This means interested parties can view smart contracts’ logic when receiving digital assets.
These contracts are written in different programming languages. On the Ethereum network, for example, each code is stored on the blockchain. This allows interested parties to inspect the code and the current condition for functional verification.
Computers on the network store a copy of any existing smart contract, its current condition, and the transaction and blockchain data.
Once these contracts receive funds from the users, the code is executed by the nodes in the network to reach an agreement about the outcome and value’s resulting flow. This allows the contracts to run securely without central authorities; even complex financial transactions with anonymous entities are made.
Users need to pay a fee when executing smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. This fee is also known as gar since it keeps the blockchain running.
After smart contracts are deployed onto the blockchain, they cannot often be altered; even the creator can do anything about it. However, there are some exemptions to it.
What Makes Smart Contract Critical?
With smart contracts, developers can build different decentralized tokes and apps. They are used in different ways, from logistics and financial tools to gaming and fashion. They are stored on a blockchain.
Smart contract-powered applications include DeFi (decentralized finance) technology that aims to transform the banking industry. With the DeFi app, crypto holders can engage in insurance, loans, savings, and other complex financial transactions without the bank and other financial institutions from different parts of the world.
These contracts are used in different ways, from simple to complex. They are often used in simple economic transactions, including moving money from one place to another. They are also used in sharing economy for smart access management.
Additionally, they play a critical role in many industries, such as education, mobility, art, music business, telecommunications, e-government, energy, insurance, banking, etc.
Conclusion
Blockchain technology enables smart contracts to grow. Smart contracts help make transactions safer and more secure. They also help applications and other components to run on the platforms to become more accessible. They automate the agreement executions, allowing users to ascertain the results as soon as possible without time delay or intermediary involvement. They make any transactions irreversible, transparent, and traceable.
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