Cex.c – Comprehensively Extended C Language

Posted4 months agoActive4 months ago

lifthrasiir

26 points

9 comments

github.comTechstory

excitedmixed

Debate

40/100

C Programming LanguageLanguage DesignCompiler Extensions

Key topics

C Programming Language

Language Design

Compiler Extensions

Cex.C is a comprehensively extended C language that has sparked interest and debate among HN users, with some praising its innovative approach and others questioning its necessity.

Snapshot generated from the HN discussion

Discussion Activity

Moderate engagement

First comment

Peak period

48-54h

Avg / period

Key moments

01Story posted
Sep 15, 2025 at 1:05 AM EDT
4 months ago
Step 01
02First comment
Sep 15, 2025 at 4:58 AM EDT
4h after posting
Step 02
03Peak activity
6 comments in 48-54h
Hottest window of the conversation
Step 03
04Latest activity
Sep 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM EDT
4 months ago
Step 04

Generating AI Summary...

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Discussion (9 comments)

Showing 9 comments

bmn__

4 months ago

1 reply

Can't wait for the Tsoding review video.

az09mugen

4 months ago

Yes, I really hope someone will share him the repo.indeed

Panzerschrek

4 months ago

3 replies

When people try to create a better C, I always remind them, that such better C already exists and it's named C++.

kilpikaarna

4 months ago

1 reply

I thought the idea of C++ as "a better C" died quite some time ago? It's quite clearly its own thing now.

In general I think the appeal of "a better C" is limited. The value of C is that it's simple limited thing and there's a compiler for every platform. Your "Better-C" won't have that. What seems like the most universally acknowledged problem with C (unexpected cases of UB) also largely stems from this. There's some effort in the newer standards to nail down some of this in exchange for dropping support for some of the oddball historical stuff like not assuming twos-complement or whatever. Probably the correct path to a better C, rather than adding things on top.

Separate are the efforts at creating new lean systems programming languages that enable you to do the same things as C. But there's not much point in trying to extend C itself at that point.

1718627440

4 months ago

I think what could be a worthwhile approach is designing a source compatible language, that makes all the implicit rules defined in C explicit, for example owning/non-owning pointers or nullability. I like the concept of SPlint, although the implementation is garbage.

indy

4 months ago

When people try to create a better spoon, I always remind them, that such a better spoon already exists and it's named spork.

lelanthran

4 months ago

> When people try to create a better C, I always remind them, that such better C already exists and it's named C++.

Somehow the idea of quadrupling the number of footguns is not as appealing an idea to some C programmers as you may think it is.

lifthrasiirAuthor

4 months ago

Noticed that it does have a website later: https://cex-c.org/

Name asides (meant to be pronounced sexy), I had the same approach in mind for a long time: single-file distribution, keep the surface syntax, use $ to extend the core language, transpiling for the win. Glad that I'm not alone.

lelanthran

4 months ago

> LEGAL NOTICE: Any intentional mispronunciation of Cex.C or cexy$ (build system), officially pronounced /ˈtsɛk.si/ ("tsek-see"), into an incorrect form may be considered intentional tseksual harassment of the project — which identifies itself with the code gender (it/its) — and may be subject to legal action under the MIT License. /LOL/

Nice :-)

I wonder how many sense-of-humour-impaired people are going to bristle at that

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ID: 45246278Type: storyLast synced: 11/20/2025, 5:28:51 PM

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