| name | compact-core:language-reference |
| description | Use when writing Compact smart contracts and need reference for primitive types (Field, Boolean, Uint), composite types (struct, enum, Vector, Bytes), circuit/witness syntax, control flow (if/else, for loops, assert), or module system (import, include, export). |
Compact Language Reference
Complete reference for the Compact smart contract language used on Midnight Network.
Quick Reference
Primitive Types
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|
Field | ZK-native field element (~254 bits) | const f: Field = 42; |
Boolean | True/false value | const b: Boolean = true; |
Uint<N> | Unsigned integer (N bits, N ≤ 248) | const n: Uint<64> = 100; |
Composite Types
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|
Bytes<N> | Fixed-size byte array | const h: Bytes<32> = ...; |
struct | Named record type | struct Point { x: Field, y: Field } |
enum | Tagged union | enum Maybe<T> { Some(T), None } |
Vector<T, N> | Fixed-size array | const v: Vector<Field, 3> = [1, 2, 3]; |
Special Types
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|
Opaque<'string'> | UTF-8 string from TypeScript | witness get_name(): Opaque<'string'>; |
Opaque<'Uint8Array'> | Binary data from TypeScript | witness get_data(): Opaque<'Uint8Array'>; |
Circuit Syntax
// Public circuit callable from TypeScript
export circuit transfer(to: Bytes<32>, amount: Uint<64>): [] {
// Circuit body
}
// Private helper circuit
circuit helper(x: Field): Field {
return x * x;
}
Witness Syntax
// Declaration (implemented in TypeScript)
witness get_private_key(): Bytes<32>;
// Usage in circuit
export circuit sign(message: Bytes<32>): Bytes<64> {
const key = get_private_key();
// Use key...
}
Control Flow
// Conditional
if (condition) {
// then branch
} else {
// else branch
}
// Bounded loop (bounds must be compile-time constant)
for i in 0..10 {
// loop body
}
// Assertion
assert condition, "Error message";
Module System
// Import specific items
import { hash } from "CompactStandardLibrary";
// Include entire file
include "utils.compact";
// Export for external use
export circuit public_fn(): Field { ... }
References
For detailed documentation on each topic:
