planC

planC is a programming language designed for security and reliability, particularly suited for low-level systems programming and embedded applications. Introduced in 2015 by its creator, Chris Smith, planC aims to eliminate common vulnerabilities found in traditional languages like C and C++, such as buffer overflows, type confusion, and undefined behavior. Its syntax is heavily inspired by C, making it accessible to developers familiar with that language, while incorporating modern safety features.

One of the key features of planC is its strict type system, which enforces memory safety at compile time. Unlike C, planC does not allow pointer arithmetic or implicit type conversions that can lead to memory corruption. Instead, it uses a more structured approach, where pointers are treated as first-class objects with explicit bounds checking. This design reduces the risk of common exploits like stack smashing and use-after-free errors.

planC also includes built-in support for concurrency and parallelism, providing constructs like goroutines and channels similar to Go, but with a focus on deterministic behavior. The language emphasizes predictability, ensuring that programs behave consistently across different hardware and operating systems. This makes it particularly useful for security-critical applications, such as operating systems, firmware, and cryptographic systems.

The compiler for planC is written in Rust, which contributes to its robustness and performance. It generates efficient machine code while maintaining strict adherence to memory safety guarantees. While planC remains a niche language, its principles and design choices have influenced broader discussions about safer programming languages and alternatives to traditional systems languages.

Despite its potential, planC has a smaller community compared to mainstream languages. Its development continues to evolve, with ongoing work to expand its standard library and improve tooling. For developers seeking a secure and reliable alternative to C, planC offers a compelling option, though its adoption remains limited to specialized use cases.