Language

31 chapters.

• Assignmentconst by default, var only when you must mutate.
• ArraysFixed-length sequences whose length is part of the type.
• If ExpressionsNo truthiness: if takes a bool.
• While LoopsConditions, continue expressions, and loops that produce values.
• For LoopsIterate over sequences and ranges, never a bare counter.
• FunctionsImmutable parameters and explicit discards.
• DeferCleanup that runs on every path out of a scope.
• ErrorsErrors are values in a union, not exceptions.
• SwitchExhaustive by construction.
• Runtime SafetyChecked illegal behaviour, and where the checks go.
• PointersSingle-item pointers that are never null.
• Pointer Sized Integersusize, isize, and why they are not just u64.
• Many-item Pointers[*]T: a pointer to an unknown number of items.
• SlicesA pointer and a length, together.
• EnumsNamed values, fixed tags, and methods.
• StructsLayout, defaults, and methods.
• UnionsOne of several types, sharing one allocation.
• Integer RulesArbitrary widths, explicit narrowing, chosen overflow behaviour.
• FloatsIEEE-754 types and explicit conversions.
• Labelled BlocksBlocks that produce a value.
• Labelled LoopsBreak or continue an outer loop by name.
• Loops as Expressionselse supplies the value when nothing breaks.
• Payload CapturesThe |value| syntax that unwraps everything.
• OptionalsZig's answer to null, checked by the compiler.
• ComptimeOrdinary Zig, executed by the compiler.
• Inline LoopsUnrolled loops where each iteration can differ in type.
• OpaqueTypes with unknown size, used through pointers only.
• Anonymous StructsInferred struct literals, and tuples.
• Sentinel TerminationSequences that end in a known marker.
• VectorsSIMD with ordinary operators.
• ImportsFiles are structs, and pub controls the boundary.