Show HN: TC, A minimalistic systems language with 10 keywords (plus types)
Tight-C is a minimalistic systems programming language designed to transpile to C. It features only 10 keywords and emphasizes explicit, predictable code without garbage collection or type inference. The language supports manual memory management and provides a straightforward interface for building applications.
- ▪Tight-C has 10 keywords including if, loop, and struct, focusing on simplicity and predictability.
- ▪It allows for manual memory management with functions like alloc() and free(), and includes built-in slicing for pointers.
- ▪The language supports direct interoperability with C through extern 'C' declarations.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Tight-C Simplest possible, usable systems language Tight-C is a minimal systems programming language that transpiles to C. 10 keywords, no garbage collector, no inference, no OOP — just explicit, predictable code with C-level power. Features 10 keywords — if, loop, break, defer, ret, struct, fn, use, pub, pin No hidden magic — no GC, no type inference, no shadowing, no aliasing Raw pointers (->) and fat pointers (=>) with built-in slicing Manual memory — alloc() / free() with defer for cleanup Packed structs — no padding, predictable layout C FFI — extern "C" for direct interop Rust-style errors — colored diagnostics with source lines and carets One-step compile — tcc source.tc -c app transpiles and compiles in one command Inline imports — @use "lib.tc" inlines another .tc file at compile…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at GitHub.