A smart contract is an automated, self-executing agreement in which the terms and conditions of a transaction between two parties are encoded directly into a set of computer instructions. These instructions are securely stored on a blockchain network, ensuring transparency and tamper-proof execution. - Smart contracts are predominantly deployed on blockchain platforms like Ethereum, Polygon, or Solana. Ethereum and Polygon smart contracts are written using the Solidity programming language and executed through the Ethereum Virtual Machine. On the other hand, Solana contracts employ their unique programming language known as Rust and a proprietary blockchain architecture for execution. The process of creating a smart contract involves developing the necessary business logic and embedding it into distributed ledgers such as the blockchain. - To implement a smart contract, the first step involves defining the specific conditions and criteria for its execution, which may include payment and wallet information or shipping details. Developers often include complex code, such as financial derivatives, within the smart contract, and security experts rigorously test and audit the code for potential vulnerabilities. - Once the code passes the audit and receives the necessary approvals, it can be deployed onto the blockchain. An "Oracle," which serves as a data stream, monitors the fulfillment of the specified conditions and triggers the execution of the smart contract on the blockchain once all conditions are met.