Unix co-creator Brian Kernighan on Rust, distros and NixOS
10 days ago
- #Linux
- #Unix
- #Programming
- Brian Kernighan, co-creator of Unix and author of the C programming language guide, is still teaching at Princeton at 83.
- Kernighan shared his thoughts on modern programming languages, Linux distributions, and Unix descendants during a talk at the Vintage Computer East festival.
- He expressed skepticism about Rust replacing C, citing his personal difficulties with Rust's memory safety mechanisms and slow performance.
- Kernighan admitted to not having a favorite Linux distribution, using a Mac primarily for terminal access to Linux systems.
- He was unfamiliar with Holy C, a derivative of C used in TempleOS, and NixOS, a Linux distribution with a unique package manager.
- Reflecting on the evolution of Unix, Kernighan noted its widespread use in modern devices like iPhones and Android phones, often unbeknownst to users.
- Kernighan critiqued the current state of software, humorously summarizing it as 'A lot of it sucks...'
- He advised future programmers to pursue what intrigues them, emphasizing the enduring relevance and employability of computer skills.