TON is a decentralized and open internet platform composed of multiple components, focusing on achieving extensive cross-chain interoperability while operating within a highly scalable security framework. Designed as a distributed supercomputer or “superserver,” the TON blockchain aims to offer a variety of products and services to promote decentralization. What are the technical advantages and ecosystem features of the TON blockchain, from its TVM foundation to its contract development languages? How will the technical tools developed within the TON ecosystem provide developers with efficient and personalized application experiences? This article will reveal the technical secrets of the TON world!
TON Blockchain Ecosystem Development and Technical Advantages
In 2018, Telegram launched the TON technology project, which was later subject to an SEC lawsuit for illegal fundraising. In May 2020, Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov announced the end of Telegram’s involvement in blockchain development. However, the TON project was taken over by the community, and the project name was changed from “Telegram Open Network” to “The Open Network.”
TON: From Layer1 Solution to Heterogeneous Multi-Chain Open Network
TON is a decentralized, open, and free internet platform consisting of various components, including the TON blockchain, TON DNS, TON Storage, and TON Sites. The technical goal of the TON project is to process millions of transactions per second (TPS) and eventually reach billions of users, hence the term distributed supercomputer or “superserver.” The TON blockchain serves as the core protocol connecting the underlying infrastructure of TON, forming a larger TON ecosystem.
Throughout its development history, TON has undergone quality upgrades. Launched in 2018 as a Layer1 solution, TON aimed to be a tightly coupled multi-blockchain system with unlimited sharding support and customizable work chains for decentralized applications. After the SEC lawsuit in 2020, the TON Foundation restructured the ecosystem and renamed it to The Open Network. TON is now progressing toward the goal of building a heterogeneous multi-chain open network.
TON Space: Enabling Web2 Users to Quickly Enter the Crypto Ecosystem
Leveraging the popularity of Telegram Bots from May to August this year, users can enjoy a one-stop experience of crypto services and tools, helping them better enter the Web3 ecosystem. The TON ecosystem makes full use of Telegram’s built-in services for storing, sending, and exchanging crypto assets, allowing users to quickly use private keys, accounts, and download settings in Wallet Pay, and get acquainted with TON’s powerful interoperability pathways.
In September of this year, a milestone collaboration has become key to driving the next phase of TON’s development. Telegram and the TON Foundation officially announced a partnership to integrate the self-custody crypto wallet “TON Space” into Telegram. With Telegram’s 800 million monthly active users, this integration provides a significant user base for TON, making it a crucial gateway for Web2 users entering the crypto ecosystem. In the last quarter of 2023, TON will also focus on technical updates related to cross-chain bridges, sorter and validator separation, scalability and speed demonstrations, sharding guidelines and tools, so developers should stay tuned!
TON Tools and Development Environment
The TON SDK tools and development environment features. As mentioned earlier, the TON project aims to build a heterogeneous multi-chain open network. In selecting technical tools and development environments, TON has fully considered the operational requirements of the three-layer architecture: main chains, work chains, and shard chains.
Using FunC and Tact Languages to Overcome Learning Barriers
TON innovatively adopts FunC and Tact as its two main programming languages. FunC is designed for developers who want to delve into the TON technical architecture, offering a technical solution for writing raw Fift code. Tact is an innovative programming language customized for the TON blockchain, allowing developers to enhance project writing efficiency in a smart and personalized development environment. Its language structure is similar to popular programming languages like Python and Solidity, significantly reducing learning barriers.
TON On-Chain Transaction Examples: Superior Tool Compatibility and Constructive Development Ecosystem
FunC and Tact not only maximize benefits for developers’ project deployment but also interact with the construction of the TON heterogeneous multi-chain network. Different account address formats, transaction formats, smart contract virtual machines, and basic digital virtual assets all require corresponding work chain rules. FunC and Tact meet most project development needs, compatibility, and interoperability requirements, providing users with a faster and more accurate service experience in transaction contexts.
According to the official TON website, there are currently 551 projects within the TON ecosystem, covering various sectors such as wallets, games, NFTs, staking, cross-chain bridges, and social networks. This is largely due to TON’s positive utilization of development tools and programming languages, creating a virtuous cycle of technical development.
Choosing TON for Rapid Contract Deployment
The technical progress and advantages of the TON ecosystem, along with the adoption of FunC and Tact languages, allow for rapid contract deployment. By compiling Solidity code, you obtain an ABI Code and API Key required for deployment. If you choose the TON project ecosystem, you can download the Repo, adjust specific parameters, and deploy directly through a local wallet. This approach provides the following apparent technical advantages:
- Developers can deploy contracts using a mobile phone based on a URL.
- During project development, there is no need to leave the Private Key in plaintext, minimizing the risk of key leakage.
TON, as an information flow blockchain, has lower costs and barriers than expected. As a project ecosystem supported by an account abstraction system, both the development process and data storage have a high degree of technical friendliness.