- cross-posted to:
- fediverse@lemmy.zip
- lobsters
- cross-posted to:
- fediverse@lemmy.zip
- lobsters
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/34733394
Snac (AKA Snac2) is a minimal microblogging ActivityPub instance written in C.
Features (from its Codeberg repo):
- Lightweight, minimal dependencies
- Extensive support of ActivityPub operations, e.g. write public notes, follow users, be followed, reply to the notes of others, admire wonderful content (like or boost), write private messages…
- Multiuser
- Mastodon API support, so Mastodon-compatible apps can be used
- Simple but effective web interface
- Easily-accessed MUTE button to silence morons
- Tested interoperability with related software
- No database needed
- Totally JavaScript-free
- No cookies either
- Not much bullshit
Also available in the Arch User Repository:
I run it, it’s kinda cool
Bonkers that anyone would start a social media app in C in 2025. “No JavaScript” but you’re just one buffer overflow from arbitrary code execution.
I feel like snac is social media made specifically for people who like C though. I’m sure most users of it are well aware of the implications.
C is also faster than JavaScript, uses less memory, and memory safety isn’t impossible in C either. I wouldn’t consider a scripting language to even be a choice for writing a backend server if I can use a compiled language instead.
memory safety isn’t impossible in C
In practice it is.
C is also faster than JavaScript, uses less memory, I wouldn’t consider a scripting language to even be a choice for writing a backend server if I can use a compiled language instead.
Neat.
How is that?
C is a “memory unsafe” language. There are whole categories of security vulnerabilities that simply aren’t possible in memory-safe languages that C allows. There is no good reason to continue using C anymore for new projects if you care at all about security.
https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/product-security-bad-practices
I’m a rust fan, but may I remind you that the Linux kernel is mostly C?
No. Go away. That’s not “starting a social media app” now is it?
Besides, even the Linux team has started the shift away from C.
Edit: besides - “Linux does it” doesn’t mean it’s beyond criticism. Linux has had numerous security vulnerabilities due to C.
Please write the “C considered harmful blog post”. I just want to see everyone’s faces. Pleeeeeease.
Others have written on the topic. Including Greg KH - one of the major Linux maintainers.
Yes but those are inferior because they aren’t in a rage-baiting meme format