Former Professor to Launch New Programming Language TrapC
/ 4 min read
Quick take - Robin Rowe, a former computer science professor, is set to introduce TrapC, a new programming language designed to enhance memory safety and reduce software crashes, at the W2140 conference in Bangkok, with plans for its open-source compiler release in 2025 through his startup, Trasec.
Fast Facts
- Robin Rowe, a former computer science professor, will announce TrapC, a new programming language focused on memory safety, at the W2140 conference in Bangkok.
- TrapC is a derivative of C, designed to prevent common memory-related issues like segmentation faults and buffer overruns, while maintaining a C/C++-like syntax.
- The language aims to be link-compatible with C and is claimed to be safer and easier to learn than Rust, without using an “unsafe” keyword.
- The TrapC compiler will be released as free open-source software in 2025 through Rowe’s startup, Trasec, which also plans to develop a paid AI-integrated IDE.
- Rowe emphasizes the importance of error handling and aims for TrapC to enhance memory safety, addressing a critical need highlighted by national security concerns.
Robin Rowe Unveils New Programming Language TrapC
Introduction to TrapC
Robin Rowe, a former computer science professor and product designer, is poised to unveil a new programming language named TrapC at the W2140 conference in Bangkok, Thailand. TrapC is a derivative of the C programming language, specifically designed to enhance memory safety. The primary objective of TrapC is to enable developers to create software that is less prone to crashes. The language’s code is intended to resemble C/C++ syntax while ensuring memory safety, effectively preventing issues such as segmentation faults, buffer overruns, and memory leaks.
Features and Safety Enhancements
TrapC aims to be link-compatible with C, utilizing the same application binary interface (ABI). Rowe asserts that TrapC is safer than Rust because it does not incorporate an “unsafe” keyword and claims that TrapC is purportedly easier to learn. The TrapC compiler is expected to be released as free open-source software in 2025, facilitated through Rowe’s startup, Trasec. The initiative for improved memory safety in programming languages has garnered significant attention, with the White House and various intelligence and law enforcement agencies showing interest. Memory safety vulnerabilities account for approximately 75% of the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) utilized in zero-day exploits, and about 70% of severe vulnerabilities in large codebases are linked to memory safety bugs.
Business Model and Future Plans
Rowe highlighted ongoing discussions regarding memory safety within the C and C++ communities, expressing skepticism about the feasibility of achieving memory safety in these languages. The Safe C++ proposal has emerged as a response from the C++ community to address these concerns. Rowe’s experience with safety-critical embedded systems has significantly influenced his approach to developing TrapC, emphasizing the importance of error handling in programming. He proposes a system where errors are tracked by default rather than relying on exceptions and suggests enhancing the compiler to manage pointers more intelligently.
TrapC incorporates features from C++, such as constructors and destructors, which are not present in C, and has fewer keywords than C by removing certain rarely used features. Notably, TrapC allows developers to link unsafe C code without the need for an “unsafe” keyword, setting it apart from Rust. Rowe believes that TrapC could potentially eliminate the need for DARPA’s TRACTOR program, which aims to facilitate the conversion of C code to Rust. On the business side, Rowe plans to serve as CEO of Trasec, with Gabrielle Pantera set to take on the role of COO. The business model includes offering the TrapC compiler as free open-source software and developing a paid AI-integrated development environment (IDE) to assist programmers in creating structured programs and providing unit tests. Rowe also intends to establish a foundation called Fountain Abode to oversee the TrapC language definition and its publication, with the ultimate goal of making TrapC compatible across various platforms and architectures.
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