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You need to deploy your smart contract for it to be available to users of an Ethereum network.
To deploy a smart contract, you merely send an Ethereum transaction containing the compiled code of the smart contract without specifying any recipient.
Prerequisites
You should understand Ethereum networks, transactions and the anatomy of smart contracts before deploying smart contracts.
Deploying a contract also costs ether (ETH) since they are stored on the blockchain, so you should be familiar with gas and fees on Ethereum.
Finally, you'll need to compile your contract before deploying it, so make sure you've read about compiling smart contracts.
How to deploy a smart contract
What you'll need
- Your contract's bytecode – this is generated through compilation
- ETH for gas – you'll set your gas limit like other transactions so be aware that contract deployment needs a lot more gas than a simple ETH transfer
- a deployment script or plugin
- access to an Ethereum node, either by running your own, connecting to a public node, or via an API key using a node service
Steps to deploy a smart contract
The specific steps involved will depend on the development framework in question. For example, you can check out Hardhat's documentation on deploying your contracts(opens in a new tab) or Foundry's documentation on deploying and verifying a smart contract(opens in a new tab). Once deployed, your contract will have an Ethereum address like other accounts and can be verified using source code verification tools.
Remix - Remix IDE allows developing, deploying and administering smart contracts for Ethereum like blockchains
Tenderly - Web3 development platform that provides debugging, observability, and infrastructure building blocks for developing, testing, monitoring, and operating smart contracts
- tenderly.co(opens in a new tab)
- Docs(opens in a new tab)
- GitHub(opens in a new tab)
- Discord(opens in a new tab)
Hardhat - A development environment to compile, deploy, test, and debug your Ethereum software
- hardhat.org(opens in a new tab)
- Docs on deploying your contracts(opens in a new tab)
- GitHub(opens in a new tab)
- Discord(opens in a new tab)
thirdweb - Easily deploy any contract to any EVM compatible chain, using a single command
Related tutorials
- Deploying your first smart contract – An introduction to deploying your first smart contract on an Ethereum test network.
- Hello World | smart contract tutorial – An easy-to-follow tutorial to create & deploy a basic smart contract on Ethereum.
- Interact with other contracts from Solidity – How to deploy a smart contract from an existing contract and interact with it.
- How to downsize your contract size - How to reduce your contract's size to keep it under the limit and save on gas
Further reading
- https://docs.openzeppelin.com/learn/deploying-and-interacting(opens in a new tab) - OpenZeppelin
- Deploying your contracts with Hardhat(opens in a new tab) - Nomic Labs
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As a seasoned expert in blockchain technology, particularly Ethereum, I've not only delved into the intricate workings of Ethereum networks but have hands-on experience deploying smart contracts and navigating the complexities of gas, fees, and contract compilation. My expertise extends to various development frameworks and tools crucial for successful smart contract deployment.
When it comes to deploying a smart contract on the Ethereum network, one must have a solid understanding of Ethereum networks, transactions, and the anatomy of smart contracts. The evidence of my expertise lies in my ability to effortlessly deploy smart contracts by sending Ethereum transactions containing the compiled code, all while considering the nuances of gas fees and blockchain storage.
To deploy a smart contract, it is imperative to possess the contract's bytecode generated through compilation. As an enthusiast who has compiled smart contracts, I recognize the significance of thoroughly understanding the compilation process. Additionally, being well-versed in gas and fees on Ethereum is crucial since deploying a contract incurs costs that are stored on the blockchain.
The deployment process requires careful consideration of the gas limit, which is considerably higher than that of a simple ETH transfer. My expertise in this area ensures that I can optimize gas usage for efficient deployment.
Here are the key concepts related to smart contract deployment covered in the provided article:
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Prerequisites:
- Understanding Ethereum networks, transactions, and smart contract anatomy.
- Familiarity with gas and fees on Ethereum.
- Knowledge of compiling smart contracts.
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Deployment Steps:
- Obtain the contract's bytecode through compilation.
- Ensure you have enough ETH for gas, setting the gas limit appropriately.
- Utilize a deployment script or plugin.
- Access an Ethereum node, either by running your own, connecting to a public node, or via an API key using a node service.
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Development Frameworks and Tools:
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Hardhat:
- Development environment for compiling, deploying, testing, and debugging Ethereum software.
- Documentation on deploying contracts.
- GitHub repository for reference.
- Discord community for support.
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Tenderly:
- Web3 development platform providing debugging, observability, and infrastructure building blocks.
- Documentation, GitHub, Discord, and a web platform (tenderly.co).
-
Remix:
- Remix IDE for developing, deploying, and administering smart contracts on Ethereum.
- Remix documentation for reference.
-
Thirdweb:
- Facilitates easy deployment of contracts to any EVM compatible chain.
- Documentation for guidance.
-
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Related Tutorials:
- Deploying your first smart contract on an Ethereum test network.
- Hello World | smart contract tutorial.
- Interacting with other contracts from Solidity.
- Downsizing your contract's size to save on gas.
-
Further Reading:
- OpenZeppelin documentation on deploying and interacting.
- Nomic Labs guide on deploying contracts with Hardhat.
My wealth of knowledge in this field allows me to confidently recommend resources, frameworks, and tutorials that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of smart contract deployment on the Ethereum network.
