Getting started with smart contract blockchains can be difficult sometimes. Especially if you are looking for things like a specific token or Dapp contract on the Ethereum blockchain. Luckily there are tools that help us explore the blockchain and see what contracts run on them and the details about them.
To find a contract on Ethereum you can use the EtherScan block explorer. This tool will let you search for any contract that runs on its network, from simple ERC-20 tokens, NFTs, to Application contracts that make decentralized exchanges.
This way you can ensure that you interact with the correct token/application on the network. The could prevent scams. But also lets you check if a transaction went right and see why, if it did not go through.
What are Ethereum contracts?
Contracts on Ethereum are called smart contracts. We call them this because they can execute automatically if certain conditions are met. This means that when for example person A pays person B, person C will automatically pay person A. Some would call this an “if this, then that”. Which basically refers to the automation of contracts. This contract programmability on the Ethereum blockchain is what makes it so popular, and because it was one of the first of its kind it also became the biggest.
The contracts on its network are what make it possible for tokens to run on the chain. But also makes decentralized applications possible. This has resulted in many games, tokens, marketplaces, and many more things that currently live on top of it. Without contracts like these Web3 would not have been possible and the blockchain space would have looked much different right now.
In what language are Ethereum contracts written?
The smart contracts on Ethereum are written in a programming language called “solidity”. This programming language was born and became popular together with the Ethereum blockchain. But is not only tied to Eth anymore. Because of the standard Ethereum set with its EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine), many other blockchains have copied its model and tried to give their spins or upgrades to the idea of a smartcontract-focused blockchain.
Many of these chains run an EVM on their own network. Making it very easy for developers on other chains that also have an EVM to migrate. Besides drawing in a lot of developer talent they also make it possible to connect their network to any EVM wallet.
This has already created a large network of EVM chains that all connect to each other through blockchain bridges and all have their own benefits. Making a big multi-chain world possible.
Find everything on the Block explorer
On a block explorer, you can find anything related to that blockchain. From old transactions to the smart contracts that run on it. Because of the nature of a blockchain, all transactions once recorded on it will always stay on the public ledger. Meaning that every single transaction you make will be on the network for as long as that network exists. This makes it easy to figure out how or what happened on the network before. As long as you know the address, you can trackback any of your old transactions. If you have already made some transactions before on networks like Ethereum, Avalanche, or the BNB Smart Chain, you could look them up by using a block explorer.
Ethereum contracts on other blockchains
As mentioned before all EVM networks run an EVM, making it easy for developers to deploy their smart contracts on more than one network. This can give them more exposure to the liquidity of other chains. But also lets its users use their products with more security, faster and or cheaper transactions.
Many larger Dapps like Uniswap thus make use of this and have their super popular market deployed on more than one blockchain and some sidechains. Bringing more and more functionality to many different networks.
However, like the Dapps can move easily to other chains, the liquidity can not. So not all Dapps on all networks work as well as they do on the network they started at. Because of this slippage or trading pairs may differ on chains that have less liquidity.
If you plan on using Dapps on many smaller blockchains, this would be something to look out for.
Final word
We hope that this article thought you something about Ethereum contracts and where to find them. If you have any other questions you want us to answer, feel free to contact us on our socials. So that we can keep publishing the best and most helpful articles for you.
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