[Infinity.]

Hi everyone! Recently, I've been exploring Zig and I have to say, I like it even more than Rust or C. In fact, you can even compile your C programs using Zig!

Note: This isn't an introduction to the programming language—there are better tutorials linked above for that.

In this guide, you'll learn how to create a Zig library and use it in Python or PHP. We'll start with a basic 'Hello, World!' example, and in Part 2 of this series, we'll dive into more complex Windows NT functionality.

First, let's write a simple Zig program that creates a DLL. This DLL will expose a function that either returns a string or performs some computation."

Btw, Zig competes with C instead of depending on it:
https://ziglang.org/learn/overview/#zig-...ding-on-it

Zig site: https://ziglang.org/
Learn zig:  https://zig.guide/

Step 1: Create a directory and run

Code

$ zig init-lib

Following things will be generated (note: Ignore shell.nix file, I am on nixos(https://nixos.org/ ) so my Zig installation option differs.



Our src/main.zig file looks like this

Code

const std = @import("std");
const  testing = std.testing;
export fn add(a: i32, b: i32) i32 {
    return a + b;
}

test "basic add func"  {
    try testing.expect(add(3, 7) == 10);
}

Step 2

Build the library

Code

zig build-lib -dynamic -target x86_64-windows-gnu -O ReleaseSmall src/main.zig

Now our directory will look something like this



Now that we have our main.dll lets use it in a python environment

Code

import ctypes

# Load the DLL
mylib = ctypes.CDLL('./main.dll')

# Call the add function
result = mylib.add(5, 3)
print(f"Result of add: {result}")

PHP

Code

<?php

// Define the FFI interface
$ffi = FFI::cdef("
    int add(int, int);
", "./main.dll");

// Call the add function
$result = $ffi->add(5, 3);
echo "Result of add: $result\n";

?>

[Klonopin]

This is very interesting, makes me want to learn zig and give it a try.
This has me thinking of all the possibilities with this.

Cool little write up man

[DeltaNox]

That's interesting. I hadn't heard of zig before. I'll definitely look into it.

[Infinity.]

This is very interesting, makes me want to learn zig and give it a try.
This has me thinking of all the possibilities with this.

Cool little write up man

Thanks man, hoping to create more tutorials around Zig.

[HFDone]

didnt understand why using it is better than using the C libraries

[Infinity.]

didnt understand why using it is better than using the C libraries

Yes there's references mentioned but here's some point.

This Zig code is significantly simpler than the equivalent C code, as well as having more safety protections, and all this is accomplished by directly importing the C header file - no API bindings. Zig is better at using C libraries than C is at using C libraries.
Zig uses undefined behavior as a razor sharp tool for both bug prevention and performance enhancement. Speaking of performance, Zig is faster than C. The reference implementation uses LLVM as a backend for state of the art optimizations. What other projects call “Link Time Optimization” Zig does automatically.

Above is taken from their site.

For more: https://ziglang.org/learn/overview/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Zig/comments/17..._c_and_is/

[HFDone]

so its sound as zig is a better compiler for C

[Infinity.]

so its sound as zig is a better compiler for C

Hi, I think you're missing major things here brother. Have you checked the resources I mentioned?

Zig is more than just a "better compiler for C." While it is designed to be compatible with C (you can use C libraries and even compile C code directly with Zig), but it's more than that.

• Memory Safety: Zig has safety features like optional pointers which are safer than raw pointers and undefined behavior detection, while still giving you the control that C provides.
  


• Error Handling: Instead of using error codes like in C, Zig has a built-in error handling system similar to Rust’s Result type but more lightweight.
  


• In C, if you want to compile code for different platforms you need to configure multiple compilers in the toolchain, Zig provides easy cross-compilation feature.
  


• C has hidden control flow mechanism like implicit type casting or function calls in macros :(. Zig has no such thing.
  


• Far better "STD" library than C. (you can google how)
  


• C is known for performance, yes, but no language other than Zig has matched or even exceeded C's performance in certain cases.
  


• You can easily integrate Zig in existing C codebase.
  

[HFDone]

i got it from your first reply by saying "better compiler for C" im reffering to all above too

Ok i Add it to my multi compiler

[Biggy_Asian]

Hi everyone! Recently, I've been exploring Zig and I have to say, I like it even more than Rust or C. In fact, you can even compile your C programs using Zig!

Note: This isn't an introduction to the programming language—there are better tutorials linked above for that.

In this guide, you'll learn how to create a Zig library and use it in Python or PHP. We'll start with a basic 'Hello, World!' example, and in Part 2 of this series, we'll dive into more complex Windows NT functionality.

First, let's write a simple Zig program that creates a DLL. This DLL will expose a function that either returns a string or performs some computation."

Btw, Zig competes with C instead of depending on it:
https://ziglang.org/learn/overview/#zig-...ding-on-it

Zig site: https://ziglang.org/
Learn zig:  https://zig.guide/

Step 1: Create a directory and run

Code

$ zig init-lib

Following things will be generated (note: Ignore shell.nix file, I am on nixos(https://nixos.org/ ) so my Zig installation option differs.



Our src/main.zig file looks like this

Code

const std = @import("std");
const  testing = std.testing;
export fn add(a: i32, b: i32) i32 {
    return a + b;
}

test "basic add func"  {
    try testing.expect(add(3, 7) == 10);
}

Step 2

Build the library

Code

zig build-lib -dynamic -target x86_64-windows-gnu -O ReleaseSmall src/main.zig

Now our directory will look something like this



Now that we have our main.dll lets use it in a python environment

Code

import ctypes

# Load the DLL
mylib = ctypes.CDLL('./main.dll')

# Call the add function
result = mylib.add(5, 3)
print(f"Result of add: {result}")

PHP

Code

<?php

// Define the FFI interface
$ffi = FFI::cdef("
    int add(int, int);
", "./main.dll");

// Call the add function
$result = $ffi->add(5, 3);
echo "Result of add: $result\n";

?>

Huh looks cool. My understanding of this is that its like C with the way you write it. Handy you dont really need to learn a whole new lang.