> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://loopnetwork.gitbook.io/home/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://loopnetwork.gitbook.io/home/basic-knowledge/what-is-blockchain/smart-contract.md).

# Smart Contract

A reusable snippet of code (a program) which a developer publishes into EVM memory. Anyone can request that the smart contract code be executed by making a transaction request. Because developers can write arbitrary executable applications into the EVM (games, marketplaces, financial instruments, etc.) by publishing smart contracts, these are often also called [dapps, or Decentralized Apps](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/dapps/).