**Smart Contracts on TON:** - How smart contracts are implemented in the TON ecosystem (Part 1)

General
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In the TON (The Open Network) ecosystem, smart contracts are created using the TON Virtual Machine (TVM) and the FunC programming language. Here’s a summary of the process for implementing smart contracts on TON:

1. Understanding the TON Blockchain Architecture:

  • TON Blockchain:
    TON is a multi-blockchain platform built to process millions of transactions per second. It includes a masterchain and several workchains, each governed by its own rules and smart contracts.
  • Sharding and Workchains:
    TON makes use of sharding technology to achieve horizontal scalability by splitting the network into smaller segments known as workchains, with each one handling a specific portion of transactions.

2. Writing Smart Contracts in FunC:

  • FunC Language: TON smart contracts are written in FunC, a statically typed programming language created specifically for TON. It operates at a low level and works directly with the TON Virtual Machine (TVM).
  • Structure of FunC Contracts: A FunC contract usually contains functions for initializing the contract, processing messages, and managing state changes. The contract’s logic is defined by implementing these functions.
  • Code Example:
    int main() {
    return 1 + 1;
}

This basic example illustrates a simple function in FunC, but in a smart contract, you would develop more complex logic, such as managing incoming transactions or updating the contract state.

3. Deploying the Smart Contract:

  • Compiling FunC to TVM Bytecode: After writing the contract in FunC, you compile it to TVM bytecode using a FunC compiler. The compiled bytecode can then be deployed on the TON blockchain.
  • Deployment Process:
    • Use tools like toncli or tonos-cli to deploy the compiled contract on the TON blockchain.
    • Specify the initial contract state and send an initial message to trigger the contract deployment.