Cosmopolitan C Library

Cosmopolitan C Library

Revolutionary C library that creates truly portable executables:

What Makes It Special:

  • Actually Portable Executables: Single binary runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and BSD
  • No Runtime Dependencies: Completely self-contained executables
  • Multi-Architecture: Supports x86_64, ARM64, and other architectures
  • Zero Configuration: Works out of the box without complex build systems

How It Works:

Polyglot Binary Format:

  • Multiple Headers: Contains DOS, PE, and ELF headers in one file
  • Fat Binary: Includes code for different operating systems
  • Smart Loading: OS picks appropriate code section automatically
  • Compression: Efficient packing reduces file size

System Abstraction:

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#include "libc/stdio/stdio.h"
#include "libc/calls/calls.h"

int main() {
    printf("Hello from everywhere!\n");
    return 0;
}

Key Features:

  • POSIX Compatibility: Standard C library interface
  • Modern C: Support for C11 and newer standards
  • Performance: Optimized implementations for different platforms
  • Security: Memory-safe alternatives and security features

Use Cases:

  • Cross-Platform Tools: Development utilities that work everywhere
  • Embedded Software: Minimal runtime requirements
  • Game Development: Portable game engines and tools
  • Scientific Computing: Reproducible research across platforms

Distributed Systems for Fun and Profit

Distributed systems for fun and profit

Accessible introduction to distributed systems concepts:

Learning Approach:

  • Practical Focus: Real-world problems and solutions
  • Clear Explanations: Complex concepts made understandable
  • Progressive Complexity: Builds from basics to advanced topics
  • Implementation Examples: Code samples and practical exercises

Core Topics:

Distributed System Basics:

  • Scalability: Handling increased load through distribution
  • Fault Tolerance: Continuing operation despite failures
  • Consistency: Maintaining data coherence across nodes
  • Performance: Latency and throughput considerations

System Models:

  • Network Model: How nodes communicate
  • Failure Model: Types of failures and their handling
  • Timing Model: Synchronous vs asynchronous systems
  • Consensus Model: Agreement in distributed environments

Key Insights:

  • Trade-offs: Understanding CAP theorem implications
  • Complexity: Distribution adds inherent complexity
  • Debugging: Challenges in distributed system debugging
  • Testing: Strategies for testing distributed systems

High Performance Browser Networking

High Performance Browser Networking (O’Reilly)

Comprehensive guide to optimizing web application performance:

Networking Fundamentals:

Transport Protocols:

  • TCP: Connection-oriented, reliable transport
  • UDP: Connectionless, fast but unreliable
  • HTTP/1.1: Request-response over TCP
  • HTTP/2: Multiplexing and server push
  • HTTP/3: QUIC-based for improved performance

Latency and Bandwidth:

  • Speed of Light: Physical limits of network communication
  • Last Mile: Often the bottleneck in network performance
  • CDN Benefits: Geographical distribution reduces latency
  • Connection Pooling: Reusing connections for efficiency

Browser Optimization:

Resource Loading:

  • Critical Rendering Path: What blocks initial page render
  • Resource Prioritization: Loading important resources first
  • Compression: Gzip, Brotli for reducing transfer size
  • Caching: Browser and HTTP caching strategies

Modern Web APIs:

  • Service Workers: Offline capability and caching control
  • WebRTC: Peer-to-peer communication
  • WebSockets: Full-duplex communication
  • Server-Sent Events: Real-time server-to-client updates

Performance Techniques:

  • Minimize Round Trips: Reduce network requests
  • Optimize Payloads: Smaller, compressed resources
  • Leverage Caching: Effective cache strategies
  • Use CDNs: Geographic distribution of content

Roguelike Tutorial in Rust

Introduction - Roguelike Tutorial - In Rust

Complete guide to building roguelike games using Rust:

What are Roguelikes:

  • Turn-Based: Player and entities take turns
  • Procedural Generation: Randomly generated levels
  • Permadeath: Character death is permanent
  • ASCII Graphics: Traditional text-based display

Rust for Game Development:

Performance Benefits:

  • Zero-Cost Abstractions: High-level code without runtime overhead
  • Memory Safety: Prevents common game crashes
  • Concurrency: Safe parallel processing
  • Predictable Performance: No garbage collection pauses

Game Architecture:

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// Entity Component System (ECS) pattern
struct Position { x: i32, y: i32 }
struct Renderable { glyph: char, color: Color }
struct Player;

// Systems process components
fn movement_system(positions: &mut Vec<Position>, input: Input) {
    // Update positions based on input
}

Tutorial Progression:

Basic Implementation:

  1. Hello World: Basic Rust setup and window creation
  2. Map Generation: Creating dungeon layouts
  3. Entity System: Players, monsters, and items
  4. Game Loop: Turn-based mechanics

Advanced Features:

  1. Field of View: Realistic vision systems
  2. Combat System: Damage, health, and death
  3. Inventory: Item management and usage
  4. AI Systems: Monster behavior and pathfinding

Technologies Used:

  • RLTK (Rust Libtcod Toolkit): Game development framework
  • Specs ECS: Entity Component System
  • Serde: Serialization for save games
  • Rand: Random number generation

Learning Outcomes:

  • Rust Proficiency: Real-world Rust programming
  • Game Design: Core roguelike mechanics
  • Algorithm Implementation: Pathfinding, generation algorithms
  • Systems Programming: Low-level game engine concepts

Each resource provides deep technical knowledge in its domain - from system-level programming to distributed architecture, web performance optimization, and game development with modern languages.