This is precisely why C has outstayed its welcome in so many areas of software development.
Every time some kid looking for a self-confidence boost buys into the idea that using a language with a minefield of archaically-named string manipulation functions somehow makes them a ‘real’, ‘smart’, developer, we are all left a little worse off.
No, it’s not the fault of the language’s design. It’s not even the fault of history - the fact that C was conceived at a time when security wasn’t what it is. It’s these damn kids that only know Python and JavaScript! Why can’t they be as smart as us C developers!
This is all completely ignoring the fact that in 2023 we have no shortage of string manipulation-related vulnerabilities in widely popular and supposedly battle-tested C code. All some version of the typical list completely justifiable human errors that anyone is bound to make writing C.
A language that is so popular but that so few people seem to be able to write secure code with, is not a very good language.
I’m immediately skeptical of anyone that’s not of the view that the single best thing we as an industry can do for security is to drastically reduce the amount of C code in circulation. It always comes down to “I’m set in my ways and I think I’m superhuman”.
My hope is that these modern, sensible systems programming languages successfully eat the world faster than the pool of C developers thins out, as people slowly retire, and more greenhorns clue into the fact that C is being used in more places than it ought to be.
Signed, someone that did learn C in school, and has written it professionally.
It should not. And you are taking my comment completely out of context. 100% out of context. Violently out of context.
I have not even implied that this is about "real" or "smart" developers. C'mon!
This is about TWO things: Knowledge and experience. And that is IT. That's what I said.
So, pretty please, don't put words in my mouth and get all self-righteous about something you invented.
> Why can’t they be as smart as us C developers!
They can! All they have to do is learn and develop the experience base to use the tool correctly. Nobody is saying it can't be done. Again, don't put words where I did not use them.
Do you drive a car every day?
Yes?
Do you think you would do well if you got in the seat of a Formula 1 car?
Of course you would not. Because you lack knowledge and experience in the domain. You can learn. Of course you can learn. And that requires work and dedication.
Blaming the Formula 1 car for the lack of knowledge and experience of the driver is nothing less than ridiculous.
This is precisely why C has outstayed its welcome in so many areas of software development.
Every time some kid looking for a self-confidence boost buys into the idea that using a language with a minefield of archaically-named string manipulation functions somehow makes them a ‘real’, ‘smart’, developer, we are all left a little worse off.
No, it’s not the fault of the language’s design. It’s not even the fault of history - the fact that C was conceived at a time when security wasn’t what it is. It’s these damn kids that only know Python and JavaScript! Why can’t they be as smart as us C developers!
This is all completely ignoring the fact that in 2023 we have no shortage of string manipulation-related vulnerabilities in widely popular and supposedly battle-tested C code. All some version of the typical list completely justifiable human errors that anyone is bound to make writing C.
A language that is so popular but that so few people seem to be able to write secure code with, is not a very good language.
I’m immediately skeptical of anyone that’s not of the view that the single best thing we as an industry can do for security is to drastically reduce the amount of C code in circulation. It always comes down to “I’m set in my ways and I think I’m superhuman”.
My hope is that these modern, sensible systems programming languages successfully eat the world faster than the pool of C developers thins out, as people slowly retire, and more greenhorns clue into the fact that C is being used in more places than it ought to be.
Signed, someone that did learn C in school, and has written it professionally.