Welcome

Thanks for buying the MEAP for Systems Programming with Zig! If you know a little programming, and you want to see how Zig can help you write better software, you’ve found the right book.

If you’re coming from a systems background—​especially from C, C++, or Rust—​rest assured that you’ll find yourself writing Zig like a pro before you know it. I guarantee you will come away from this book with a few new tricks.

We’re going to take a nice long stroll around all of my favorite corners of systems programming: from the terminal to driving the web to building interpreters and even to the bizarre land of low-level graphics. Along the way, you’re going to see how Zig’s unique design decisions, informed by a strict set of values, will make your programs faster and more reliable and extensible than ever.

If you have a deep-seated appreciation for computing—​and more importantly, a love of learning, and a drive to understand the technological world as we know it—​I wrote this book for you. I fell in love with Zig because I saw a community of deeply pragmatic people who love to code. And more than that, they have an undying dedication toward making programming both productive and enjoyable. I strive to be worthy of that community, and I have put all my effort into writing a book that represents these values.

Please be sure to post any questions, comments, or suggestions you have about the book in the livebook discussion forum.

Good luck!

 — garrisonhh (Garrison Hinson-Hasty)