Bytecode
Also known as: Compiled Smart Contract, Smart Contract Code, EVM Bytecode
The low-level machine-readable code that smart contracts are compiled into before being deployed on a blockchain.
Bytecode is the compiled, machine-readable version of a smart contract that is deployed and executed on blockchain networks like Ethereum. Developers write smart contracts in high-level languages such as Solidity or Vyper. These contracts are then compiled into bytecode by tools like the Solidity compiler (solc). The resulting bytecode is stored on-chain and interpreted by the blockchain’s virtual machine (e.g., EVM for Ethereum). Bytecode allows decentralized applications to run consistently across nodes, but unlike source code, it is not human-readable, making audits and analysis more complex unless source mappings or verified contracts are provided.