GlossaryAdvanced
Bytecode
The compiled, low-level code a smart contract actually runs on-chain.
Bytecode is the compiled, machine-readable version of a smart contract's source code, which is what's actually deployed to and executed on the blockchain.
Human-readable source code (such as Solidity) is compiled into bytecode before deployment; verifying a contract on a block explorer typically means confirming its published source code compiles to the exact bytecode deployed on-chain.
Examples
- A block explorer's "verified contract" badge confirms the published source code matches the deployed bytecode.
- Bytecode is what the network's virtual machine actually executes, not the original source code.