Why I Write Games in C (yes, C) (jonathanwhiting.com)

Article summary

The author explains why they prefer to write games in C, citing its reliability, portability, and simplicity as key factors. They also mention their dislike for C++ due to its complexity and slow compilation time. The author acknowledges that their preference for C is unusual, but it works best for their needs. They also discuss alternative languages, such as Go and Haxe, but find them lacking in certain areas.

Main themes

• C programming language
• Game development
• Language choice
• Reliability and portability
• Simplicity and complexity

What commenters say

• Using a C++ compiler to compile C code can help catch bugs at compile time, but may not be the best approach due to differences in language features.
• C is a reliable and simple language, but its lack of features and safety guarantees can make it error-prone.
• Rust is a viable alternative to C, offering memory safety and performance, but its complexity and verbosity can be off-putting to some developers.
• The choice of programming language ultimately depends on personal preference and the specific needs of the project, with no one language being universally superior.
• Some developers prefer C's simplicity and lack of object-oriented programming features, while others find it too low-level and error-prone.
• Compile times and performance are important considerations when choosing a programming language, with some languages offering faster compilation and execution times than others.
• The trade-offs between language features, performance, and safety guarantees are complex and depend on the specific use case and developer preferences.