Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I have similar frustrations using C++, but don't feel using C or even Rust would be an improvement, more of "side-grade" due to various tradeoffs those languages have for game development compared to C++.

I am excited about the development of both Zig and Jai since they both are trying to fill what I believe is a much needed role of a C-like language with a few more nice language features like better compile-time code, better compiler error messages, better error handling that doesn't use exceptions, and build scripts written natively in the languages, all while sticking to fast compile times and simplicity.

Games are a decently different domain than others, and there is a lot of valid complaining about C++. It's a known issue, we just need something that's clearly better, which so far I think those two languages are. I've chipped in a few dollars a month to support Zig and have been using it in my free time, but it still very much feels like the version 0.4.0 that it is.

This wait will probably be a few more painful years.



The thing I hate about them is the backwards declaration syntax.

var x:i32 = 5; ugh, it makes no sense.


Usually you wouldn't write the type, so `let x = 5;` In general, the C style type declarations complicate parsing quite a lot as well.


You'd be surprised how fast you get used to it.


imo it's worth pointing out that it's not called "Jai"


What is it called? I've followed a bunch of videos and never heard it referred to in any other way




Consider applying for YC's Summer 2026 batch! Applications are open till May 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: