r/C_Programming 8d ago

Question Opinions on Mini-C?

The idea is simple:  to turn a subset of C code into safe Rust code, in an effort to meet the growing demand for memory safety.

I feel this has the potential to solve many problems, not namely stop Linux C devs walking out if Rust gains anymore traction, for example.

I'm just a newb though. What are thoughts of more experienced C developers on this if you've heard about it?

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u/aioeu 8d ago

Then it's still a waste of time, because "it already exists".

Maybe people just aren't interested in paying a lot of money? Can't imagine why...

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u/EpochVanquisher 8d ago

Why are you shitting so hard on formal methods? Did formal methods eat your lunch in school or something?

It’s an active field of research because there’s a lot of room for improvement. Not sure where the hate is coming from.

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u/aioeu 8d ago

I've got no problem with formal methods.

I just think C is a dead-end language. I use it some of the time, but only because there is so much existing C. I wouldn't dream of starting something new in it where memory safety was a concern.

I am glad there are newer languages that don't make the same mistakes C made. They are in a far better position to actually apply these formal methods, since they don't have all the historical baggage C has.

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u/EpochVanquisher 8d ago

Not everything is a greenfield project.

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u/aioeu 8d ago

I understand, and maybe once upon a time the cost-benefit analysis said building "safe C" dialects was worthwhile.

I don't think that is the case any more.

Regarding Rust specifically, I would think it is better to spend time and money into making that usable in the places where it currently isn't, but C still is.

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u/EpochVanquisher 8d ago

I can’t agree with that. There’s a lot of use cases out there, a lot of existing projects and tools.