Solana Smart Contracts: How Programs Work

If you are exploring smart contracts on Solana, start with the terminology: Solana documentation calls them programs. These programs provide the foundation for onchain activities including decentralised finance, NFTs, social media and games. Solana’s smart-contract overview explains the distinction between Ethereum smart contracts and Solana programs.

What are Solana programs?

A Solana program contains executable code deployed on the blockchain. In the context of agreements and transactions, program logic can execute predefined instructions when the required conditions are satisfied. This automated execution can reduce manual intervention in processes that have been designed around programmatic rules.

Automation does not remove the need for careful design. Before relying on a program, define the intended conditions clearly, decide which information the program needs and consider how each party will verify the resulting activity. Clear terms matter because the program will follow its encoded logic.

How Solana programs differ from Ethereum smart contracts

Solana and Ethereum use different development and execution models. Developers moving between them therefore need to understand more than a change in terminology. Solana’s migration guide describes the differences between Ethereum smart contracts and Solana programs, while the official programs documentation covers program types, the sBPF execution model, deployment, upgrades and development approaches using Anchor, Pinocchio or native Rust.

Those architectural details influence how a program is written, deployed and maintained. Choose a development approach based on the application’s requirements and the team’s ability to review and support the resulting code.

Automation and transparency

Encoding rules in program logic can create a clear, consistent process for executing supported actions. Blockchain records can also provide a record of activity associated with those actions. These characteristics can help parties inspect what occurred and compare the outcome with the agreed program logic.

However, the result depends on what has actually been encoded. Review the conditions, permissions and expected outcomes before deployment. Avoid treating a general description of smart contracts as proof that a particular implementation is secure or appropriate for every agreement.

Security considerations

The security of a program depends on its implementation and deployment choices. Solana documentation distinguishes among program types and explains deployment and upgrade concepts. When evaluating a program, determine who can deploy or upgrade it, which accounts or inputs it uses and how its behaviour will be tested.

It is also useful to separate blockchain properties from application-level assurances. A transaction record may be resistant to alteration while the program logic can still contain mistakes or permissions that users did not expect. Careful review remains essential before a program is used for important transactions.

Choosing a development approach

Solana documentation identifies Anchor, Pinocchio and native Rust as development approaches. The appropriate choice depends on the program’s requirements and the development team’s experience. Review the official documentation for each approach rather than assuming that one option is suitable for every project.

A practical evaluation can begin with the program’s intended actions, required accounts, authority model, deployment plan and upgrade policy. Documenting these elements gives participants a clearer basis for reviewing the implementation.

Implementation checklist

• Define the actions and conditions the program must support.
• Identify the accounts, permissions and inputs involved.
• Select a supported development approach.
• Test expected outcomes and failure cases before deployment.
• Establish how deployment and upgrades will be controlled.
• Explain the program’s behaviour to everyone expected to rely on it.

Frequently asked questions

Are smart contracts called programs on Solana?

Yes. Solana documentation uses the term “programs” for what other blockchain protocols commonly call smart contracts.

Can a Solana program execute actions automatically?

Program logic can execute predefined instructions when its specified conditions and inputs are satisfied. The reliability of the outcome depends on the logic and implementation supplied by the developer.

Which development approaches does Solana document?

The official overview identifies Anchor, Pinocchio and native Rust approaches. It also discusses program types, deployment, upgrades and the sBPF execution model.

Key takeaway

Solana programs can support automated onchain activity, but they need clearly defined logic, appropriate permissions and careful implementation. Begin with the official documentation, choose a development approach that fits the intended use and review the program’s deployment and upgrade model before relying on it.