Why C is not going anywhere (but Rust might replace it anyway)

Join Seve (founder of tscircuit) and Matt (founder of atopile) as they venture deep into the rapidly changing world of electronics, where hardware is finally catching up to software. This episode tackles the growing movement of designing circuit boards using code, not schematics, and explores how compiler-style toolchains are revolutionizing firmware, FPGA workflows, and hardware reliability. They also explore: * Wi-Fi HaLow: A deep dive into the 900MHz standard that offers kilometer-long range for drones and IoT, and how it challenges LoRa. * The “Monks” of SQLite: Why the SQLite team is considered the “monastery” of open source and their commitment to no API breaks until 2050. * Semver vs. Reality: Why Semantic Versioning breaks down in TypeScript environments and Seve’s “Pragmatic Versioning” alternative. * The Future of Connectivity: How Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology is effectively placing cell towers in space. * AI & DSLs: Whether LLMs will end the era of new programming languages in favor of Domain Specific Languages or TypeScript supremacy. Whether you are a firmware engineer looking at Rust, a hardware designer interested in long-range wireless, or a developer managing complex dependencies, this discussion offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of code and hardware. 00:00 Hiking Yosemite and the Adirondacks 06:28 Rust in firmware 07:06 Truth Discovery 10:21 Safety in Embedded: Rust vs. C/C++ 12:42 Airbags & Real-Time Constraints 14:55 Haskell, OCaml, and Functional Programming 16:44 Why Semver doesn’t work for TypeScript 17:51 Ecosystem development: 200 Releases a Day 26:42 Using OCaml for FPGA Design (Jane Street) 29:29 The “Monks” of SQLite & 2050 Compatibility 33:40 Will AI stop the invention of new languages? 39:05 Wi-Fi HaLow: 900MHz Long-Range Wi-Fi 43:50 Wi-Fi HaLow for Drones & Antenna Physics 48:07 Starlink Direct-to-Cell Technology This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit electronics.dev