# Open Source Open source means the code can be read, used and modified freely. While the exact definitions of those terms vary from source to source the core prerequisite of all definitions for this term is that anyone can read the source code to a program and somehow verify that is the code they are executing. Nothing about the proxy contract or the proxy address requires any of the smart contract code to be open source or inspectable. It is entirely possible to publish a proxy address with user interactions forwarded transparently to an implementation address without those users being able to read the software code on the proxy contract. Smart contracts which conform to the EIP-1967 standard will work as proxy addresses even where the underlying smart contract code of the proxy contract is private. The OpenZeppelin example is only one example of a proxy contract software code and it is entirely possible for a software developer to embed additional administrative functions to a proxy contract, and/or elect not to publish the proxy contract software code, yet still have users reply on the proxy contract’s functionality and the Base blockchain network involves several of such proxy contracts. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.chainargos.com/documentation/concept-glossary/open-source.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.