C3, a systems language in the C tradition, is switching from unsigned to signed integer types as the default for sizes and lengths after five years of experience. The change addresses foundational pitfalls including infinite loops in common patterns and unsafe implicit conversions. The decision reflects recognition that unsigned boundaries occur far closer to overflow than signed, making boundary bugs dangerously subtle.
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Unsigned Sizes: A Five Year Mistake
After five years of real-world use, C3 switches from unsigned to signed integers for sizes/lengths, learning that unsigned boundaries create dangerously subtle overflow bugs—reversing a foundational systems language design choice.
Saturday, May 2, 2026 12:00 PM UTC2 MIN READSOURCE: Hacker NewsBY sys://pipeline
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