Of all the things I expected to read today on HN, "I chose a programming language that appeals to my political leanings" was certainly not one of them.
With the use of quotes there, you've put those words in my mouth. I didn't say that.
What I am trying to express with the statement you refer to is that zig appeals to me on an aesthetic level. It suits my tastes.
I mentioned liberty because I appreciate that zig allows me to have complete control of memory allocations, and gives me quite a deal of control over the metal. I like this and I like that I don't have to appease a borrow checker. Zig's compiler and type system is strict enough to guide me to correctness, but the experience, broadly, is not so onerous that programming becomes tedious and frustrating.
These qualities, I suspect, resonate with my individualistic tendencies.
With respect, it's difficult to interpret "libertarian sensiblities" as something else than "political leanings". Now "liberal" is a much more general -- I wouldn't necessarily call that political -- but what you said had a strong political connotation, hence my comment.
Your explanation lands otherwise. I can't relate to "I don't have to appease a borrow checker" though. That reads like a deliberately uncharitable read of what Rust's compiler is doing. That being said, it's definitely not for everyone.
I tried Zig. Loved it. But then after a few weekends I said to myself: "Wait a bit. I've been down this path before with C and C++. I know exactly where it ends." -- and bailed.
To me these days low-level programming is basically: either go all the way, or don't go at all. Sadly Rust is not like, going really all the way, but it's IMO the closest we got. And before somebody starts enumerating obscure languages that barely have a community: I include multi-axial evaluation here i.e. PL features, stdlib, ecosystem, richness of education (Rust has _a lot_ of good books and courses), and others I am surely forgetting at the moment.
Zig is great. But I'll not take marginal improvements anymore. Not in my personal life and not in my work. I'll get big ones, or not get them.
Since we are explaining philosophies, now without political undertones: that's mine.
What I am trying to express with the statement you refer to is that zig appeals to me on an aesthetic level. It suits my tastes.
I mentioned liberty because I appreciate that zig allows me to have complete control of memory allocations, and gives me quite a deal of control over the metal. I like this and I like that I don't have to appease a borrow checker. Zig's compiler and type system is strict enough to guide me to correctness, but the experience, broadly, is not so onerous that programming becomes tedious and frustrating.
These qualities, I suspect, resonate with my individualistic tendencies.