Definition
An upgradeable contract is a smart contract architecture designed so that its logic or configuration can be modified after deployment without changing the contract’s primary on-chain address or state storage. It separates persistent state from mutable logic, typically relying on indirection mechanisms that route calls to updatable implementation code while preserving externally visible interfaces and stored data.
In Simple Terms
An upgradeable contract is a smart contract set up so its code can be changed later while keeping the same address and stored data. Its design lets developers replace or adjust the logic behind the contract without starting over or moving user balances and other on-chain information.
Context and Usage
Upgradeable contracts are discussed in the context of long-lived decentralized applications, protocol governance, and security review of smart contract systems. They are especially relevant on EVM-based networks, where compiler output and deployment patterns must align with specific upgrade patterns and proxy layouts. Governance tokens often control upgrade authority, and proxy contracts commonly act as the entry point that forwards calls to the current implementation.