I don't think the point is about abstractions... it's how much you can understand about how the code executes by reading it. Abstractions are fine, of course.

I don't think the point is about abstractions... it's how much you can understand about how the code executes by reading it. Abstractions are fine, of course. In Zig, though, they should be explicit and clear. E.g., the only way to call a function is by name, using the function-calling syntax. Control flow depends only on keywords and syntax directly in front of you. I think they do assume you known the language -- if you don't then I guess a lot might be unclear when reading code! -- but on the other hand, it's on the simpler, smaller side.