Driven by a desire for simplicity and performance in a personal project involving embedded systems and game development, the author rediscovered their passion for C. After years of working with higher-level languages, they found the direct control and predictable behavior of C refreshing and efficient. This shift allowed them to focus on core programming principles and optimize their code for resource-constrained environments, ultimately leading to a more satisfying and performant outcome than they felt was achievable with more complex tools. They argue that while modern languages offer conveniences, C's close-to-the-metal nature provides a unique learning experience and performance advantage, particularly for certain applications.
The author, Kevin Morris, recounts his journey back to programming in C after a hiatus spent working with higher-level languages like Python, JavaScript, and Go. He articulates a growing disillusionment with the complexities and abstractions layered upon modern software development, citing the ballooning size of dependencies, the constant churn of frameworks and tools, and the opaque nature of errors that arise within these intricate systems. This dissatisfaction culminated in a desire for a more fundamental, transparent, and controllable programming experience.
Morris details how his rediscovery of C has been a refreshing return to the basics. He describes the profound satisfaction derived from understanding the intimate relationship between his code and the underlying hardware, a connection often obscured by the layers of abstraction in higher-level languages. He relishes the fine-grained control C offers over memory management and system resources, contrasting it with the "garbage-collected comfort" of other languages. This control, he argues, not only fosters a deeper understanding of how software interacts with the machine but also enables the creation of highly efficient and performant applications.
The author elaborates on the specific benefits he's experienced. He mentions the sheer joy of working with a smaller, more manageable language, free from the sprawling ecosystems and dependency trees that often characterize modern projects. He emphasizes the improved clarity and predictability of debugging in C, attributing it to the direct connection between the code and its execution. Furthermore, he highlights the portability and enduring relevance of C, noting its continued importance in foundational systems programming and its ability to run on a wide array of hardware, from embedded systems to powerful servers.
Morris acknowledges that C is not without its drawbacks. He concedes that its manual memory management can be challenging and error-prone, requiring a higher level of diligence and understanding. However, he frames this as a positive aspect, arguing that the discipline required to write safe and efficient C code ultimately strengthens one's programming skills. He concludes by emphasizing the enduring value of C in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, portraying it as a powerful tool for those seeking a deeper understanding of computer science fundamentals and a more direct connection to the machine. He encourages others to explore or revisit C, suggesting it offers a valuable perspective and a rewarding experience even in the modern era of high-level programming.
Summary of Comments ( 171 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43340731
HN commenters largely agree with the author's points about C's advantages, particularly its predictability and control over performance. Several praised the feeling of being "close to the metal" and the satisfaction of understanding exactly how the code interacts with the hardware. Some offered additional benefits of C, such as easier debugging due to its simpler execution model and its usefulness in constrained environments. A few commenters cautioned against romanticizing C, pointing out its drawbacks like manual memory management and the potential for security vulnerabilities. One commenter suggested Zig as a modern alternative that addresses some of C's shortcomings while maintaining its performance benefits. The discussion also touched on the enduring relevance of C, particularly in foundational systems and performance-critical applications.
The Hacker News post "I stopped everything and started writing C again" (linking to an article on kmx.io explaining the author's switch back to C) generated a significant number of comments, sparking a lively discussion about the merits and drawbacks of C, especially in comparison to other languages like Go, Rust, and Zig.
Several commenters shared their own experiences and perspectives on C programming. One compelling thread focused on the perception of C as a "simple" language. Some argued that C's simplicity is deceptive, masking its underlying complexity, particularly regarding memory management and undefined behavior. They contended that while the language's syntax might appear straightforward, mastering it to write robust and reliable code requires a deep understanding of these intricacies. Others countered that C's simplicity is its strength, allowing for fine-grained control and optimization, which is particularly valuable in performance-critical applications.
Another recurring theme in the comments revolved around the safety aspects of C. Many commenters highlighted the risks associated with manual memory management and the potential for vulnerabilities like buffer overflows and dangling pointers. They pointed to languages like Rust as safer alternatives that provide memory safety guarantees at compile time. However, proponents of C argued that these issues can be mitigated with careful coding practices and tools like static analyzers. They also emphasized the importance of understanding how memory works at a low level, which C facilitates.
The discussion also touched upon the tooling and ecosystem surrounding C. Some commenters expressed their appreciation for the mature and well-established tooling available for C development, including debuggers and compilers. Others noted that while these tools are powerful, they can be complex and have a steep learning curve.
Furthermore, commenters debated the suitability of C for different types of projects. Some argued that C remains the best choice for systems programming, embedded systems, and performance-sensitive applications. Others suggested that languages like Go and Rust are becoming increasingly viable alternatives, offering improved safety and developer productivity without significant performance compromises.
The comments also featured several anecdotes from developers who had transitioned to or from C. These stories provided concrete examples of the challenges and rewards of working with the language, further enriching the discussion.
In summary, the comments on the Hacker News post presented a diverse range of opinions on C programming. While some championed its simplicity, control, and performance, others raised concerns about its safety and complexity. The discussion highlighted the ongoing debate about C's relevance in the modern software development landscape and its place among newer languages.