> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.frequencychain.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.frequencychain.org/5.-smart-contract-development-remix-+-hardhat/5.1-understanding-smart-contracts.md).

# 5.1 Understanding Smart Contracts

Before deployment, it is important to understand how smart contracts function.

A smart contract is deployed to the blockchain as code, has a permanent address, can store data and execute functions and cannot be modified once deployed.

When a user interacts with a contract, they are sending a transaction that triggers a function within that contract. This transaction is validated by the network and executed deterministically across all nodes.

<p align="center">Smart Contract Architecture</p>

<figure><img src="https://1067227230-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FLwgYv3BMBEDsxgxyrgOJ%2Fuploads%2FAMrzPbIZbcUKrXlxjBFi%2Fsec5.1.png?alt=media&amp;token=c7a9d1eb-31b0-4ef9-b27d-7574c786e55e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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