6 ms·

Why is C an advantage? (I get "no dependencies", but that seems orthogonal to being written in C. Specifically, what does C bring that isn't minimal dependenci

Why is C an advantage? (I get "no dependencies", but that seems orthogonal to being written in C. Specifically, what does C bring that isn't minimal dependencies, or a small binary?)

ktta 9y ago
It isn't, except for the fact that most people who can code low level programs know it. But what you don't want into consideration is pretty much the important part of shipping a software you want to proliferate easily.
- megous 9y ago
  Statically linked C programs are the easiest to ship. Copy and run. No runtime required.
  - schrodinger 9y ago
    Same with go
  - pjmlp 9y ago
    A feature of any AOT compiled language since compilers exist, nothing C specific.
    - rmrfrmrf 9y ago
      Java and .NET would like a word with you.
      - atilaneves 9y ago
        You can embed their runtimes. I'm not saying that's desireable, just that it's possible.
      - pjmlp 9y ago
        When correcting someone on Internet be sure to know what you are talking about. ExcelsiorJET, JamaicaVM, Aonix PERC, IBM Websphere Real Time, Xamarin on iOS, .NET Native, Bartok.
        jcelerier 9y ago
        yes, good idea, let's make a modern console-based text editor that comes with IBM Websphere Real Time
tedunangst 9y ago
C compiler backend support is pretty broad.
- noobermin 9y ago
  Probably the biggest understatement I've ever seen on HN.
deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
defined 9y ago
Supported on virtually every OS and embedded platform in existence.
- exikyut 9y ago
  Abstractly, very much yes. In the context of nano and editors, you also have to contend with POSIX, tty I/O, etc.
int_19h 9y ago
It adds a massive new dependency to the build process for base system. C is itself a massive dependency, but it's already there for pretty much everyone. This matters more for distros and OSes where building things from source - either everything, as in e.g. Gentoo, or at least the base system, as in the BSDs - is pretty common and expected.
- jlebrech 9y ago
  >>> C is itself a massive dependency the C standard library?
  - int_19h 9y ago
    No, the C compiler. Both gcc and Clang are pretty big, even before you account for the standard library. I suppose you could get away with something like tcc, though.
    - jlebrech 9y ago
      lots and lots of edge cases, I minimal compiler can be kbs

Why is C an advantage? (I get "no dependencies", but that seems orthogonal to being written in C. Specifically, what does C bring that isn't minimal dependencies, or a small binary?)

ktta 9y ago

It isn't, except for the fact that most people who can code low level programs know it. But what you don't want into consideration is pretty much the important part of shipping a software you want to proliferate easily.

megous 9y ago
Statically linked C programs are the easiest to ship. Copy and run. No runtime required.
- schrodinger 9y ago
  Same with go
- pjmlp 9y ago
  A feature of any AOT compiled language since compilers exist, nothing C specific.
  - rmrfrmrf 9y ago
    Java and .NET would like a word with you.
    - atilaneves 9y ago
      You can embed their runtimes. I'm not saying that's desireable, just that it's possible.
    - pjmlp 9y ago
      When correcting someone on Internet be sure to know what you are talking about. ExcelsiorJET, JamaicaVM, Aonix PERC, IBM Websphere Real Time, Xamarin on iOS, .NET Native, Bartok.
      - jcelerier 9y ago
        yes, good idea, let's make a modern console-based text editor that comes with IBM Websphere Real Time

tedunangst 9y ago

C compiler backend support is pretty broad.

noobermin 9y ago
Probably the biggest understatement I've ever seen on HN.

deleted 9y ago

[deleted]

defined 9y ago

Supported on virtually every OS and embedded platform in existence.

exikyut 9y ago
Abstractly, very much yes. In the context of nano and editors, you also have to contend with POSIX, tty I/O, etc.

int_19h 9y ago

It adds a massive new dependency to the build process for base system. C is itself a massive dependency, but it's already there for pretty much everyone. This matters more for distros and OSes where building things from source - either everything, as in e.g. Gentoo, or at least the base system, as in the BSDs - is pretty common and expected.

jlebrech 9y ago
>>> C is itself a massive dependency the C standard library?
- int_19h 9y ago
  No, the C compiler. Both gcc and Clang are pretty big, even before you account for the standard library. I suppose you could get away with something like tcc, though.
  - jlebrech 9y ago
    lots and lots of edge cases, I minimal compiler can be kbs