I'm on the hunt for the perfect programming language and I have some strong likes and dislikes about C. On the plus side, I love its portability and simplicity—good, standard C code can compile anywhere, and the compiler doesn't pile on unnecessary features or updates. However, there are several things I can't stand, like the absence of dynamic arrays and first-class strings, the confusing `NULL` pointers, and the clunky function pointer syntax. I'd prefer a more expression-oriented language similar to ALGOL 68 that supports features like dynamic arrays (with a toggle option), first-class strings, optional garbage collection, and modular structures, but I'd like to avoid significant whitespace, unnecessary bloat, and arbitrary features. Can anyone suggest a language that hits these marks?
4 Answers
You might want to take a look at C itself! I'm not saying it's perfect, but maybe you can find a modern variant or an extension that fits your criteria without all the ugly bits. You want the spirit of C with some optional extras, right?
Why are you looking for this language? Is it just a hobby or do you need it for professional use? If it's for work, you might want to check out Zig, Golang, and Rust since they have solid futures in the industry.
I'm mainly exploring for fun, but I'd love to find one with potential for professional use too. I’ll check out Zig; not too keen on Rust, though.
It really comes down to what you're targeting. If you're developing for a modern OS, syntax might not be the biggest concern. But I get that you're looking for specific features too!
Right, I'm not just focusing on syntax alone. It's all about having the right features and getting rid of the ones I can't stand.
If you dig pedantry, check out Ada! It might be right up your alley with how strict and structured it is.
I do appreciate a good, pedantic language. Ada sounds intriguing!
Exactly! I'm after something that captures C's strengths but leaves out the parts that drive me crazy.