Jakt is a statically-typed, compiled programming language designed for performance and ease of use, with a focus on systems programming, game development, and GUI applications. Inspired by C++, Rust, and other modern languages, it features manual memory management, optional garbage collection, compile-time evaluation, and a friendly syntax. Developed alongside the SerenityOS operating system, Jakt aims to offer a robust and modern alternative for building performant and maintainable software while prioritizing developer productivity.
The GitHub repository introduces Jakt, a novel, general-purpose programming language currently under active development, primarily intended for integration within the SerenityOS operating system. Jakt aims to fill a perceived gap in the programming language landscape, offering a modern, performant, and developer-friendly experience specifically tailored for systems programming, while also remaining suitable for other domains.
Inspired by a blend of C++, Rust, and other contemporary languages, Jakt seeks to incorporate the strengths of these predecessors while mitigating some of their perceived weaknesses. The language designers prioritize memory safety, aiming to prevent common pitfalls like dangling pointers and memory leaks, without resorting to garbage collection. This is achieved through a system of ownership and borrowing, reminiscent of Rust, enabling compile-time verification of memory access patterns.
Jakt boasts a static type system, contributing to both performance and code reliability by catching type errors early in the development process. The language syntax is designed for clarity and readability, with an emphasis on expressiveness and minimizing boilerplate. It incorporates features such as algebraic data types, pattern matching, and generics, promoting concise and elegant code.
While deeply integrated with SerenityOS, where it serves as the primary language for developing system components and applications, Jakt's aspirations extend beyond the confines of a single operating system. The long-term goal is to establish Jakt as a versatile and robust language capable of tackling a wide range of programming tasks across different platforms. The repository contains a comprehensive set of documentation, including a language specification, a style guide, and tutorials, indicating a commitment to fostering a thriving community around the language. The project is open-source and actively encourages contributions, inviting developers to participate in its ongoing evolution and refinement. The development roadmap outlines future enhancements, including improvements to the standard library, tooling, and compiler optimizations.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43437752
Hacker News users discuss Jakt's resemblance to C++, Rust, and Swift, noting its potential appeal to those familiar with these languages. Several commenters express interest in its development, praising its apparent simplicity and clean design, particularly the ownership model and memory management. Some skepticism arises about the long-term viability of another niche language, and concerns are voiced about potential performance limitations due to garbage collection. The cross-compilation ability for WebAssembly also generated interest, with users envisioning potential applications. A few commenters mention the project's active and welcoming community as a positive aspect. Overall, the comments indicate a cautious optimism towards Jakt, with many intrigued by its features but also mindful of the challenges facing a new programming language.
The Hacker News post titled "The Jakt Programming Language," linking to the GitHub repository for the Jakt programming language, has generated a moderate amount of discussion. Several commenters express interest and enthusiasm for the project, focusing on specific aspects they find appealing.
One recurring theme is appreciation for Jakt's memory management strategy using regions and arenas, seen as a simpler alternative to full-blown garbage collection while avoiding the pitfalls of manual memory management. Commenters discuss the benefits of this approach for performance and predictability, contrasting it with Rust's borrow checker and C++'s complexity. There's a comparison to Lobster's memory management system and discussion around whether arenas are a fully general solution for all use cases.
Another significant point of discussion revolves around Jakt's focus on being a pragmatic, "C++ done right" language. Commenters compare and contrast it with other languages like Carbon, arguing that Jakt's smaller scope and clearer direction might contribute to its success. The influence of C++ and Rust on Jakt's design is noted, along with the potential benefits of incorporating good features from various sources. Some express skepticism about yet another new programming language, questioning whether it offers enough unique advantages to justify its existence.
The project's active development and relatively accessible codebase are also highlighted as positive aspects. Commenters discuss the feasibility of contributing to the project and the overall welcoming nature of the SerenityOS community.
Specific technical aspects, such as compile times and the language's overall performance, are also brought up. Some users share anecdotes about their experiences building and running Jakt code, while others inquire about potential optimizations and future plans.
Finally, there are brief mentions of other related projects, like Zig, and discussions about the general landscape of modern programming languages. Several commenters express a desire to see Jakt mature and gain wider adoption, suggesting that it holds promise as a viable alternative to existing languages for certain use cases. While there's a general sense of cautious optimism, many acknowledge that the project is still relatively young and its long-term success remains to be seen.