Dave Gauer 2cded107cd Add ex 35,36 enums; updated README

I'm changing the order of some more topics. Trying to explain the value
of pointers when we're mostly dealing with stack-sized values like
integers feels convoluted. So I'm starting with enums (which also has a
nice segue from an earlier "switch" exercise). Then structs. Then unions
(just in keeping with the order of these items on ziglearn.org) and THEN
pointers and multi-pointers and slices.

2021-02-06 09:29:49 -05:00

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ziglings

Welcome to ziglings. This project contains a series of incomplete exercises. By completing the exercises, you learn how to read and write Zig code.

This project was directly inspired by the brilliant and fun rustlings project for the Rust language.

Intended Audience

This will probably be quite difficult if you've never programmed before. However, no specific programming experience is required. And in particular, you are not expected to know C or other "systems programming" language.

Each exercise is self-contained and self-explained. However, you're encouraged to also check out these Zig language resources for more detail:

Getting Started

Note: This currently uses a shell (Bash) script to automate the "game". A future update may remove this requirement. See TODO below.

Install the master release of the Zig compiler.

Verify the installation and version of zig like so:

$ zig version
0.7.1+<some hexadecimal string>

Clone this repository with Git:

git clone https://github.com/ratfactor/ziglings
cd ziglings

Then run the ziglings script and follow the instructions to begin!

./ziglings

Manual Usage

If you can't (or don't want to) use the script, you can manually verify each exercise with the Zig compiler:

zig run 01_hello.zig

TODO

Contributions are very welcome! I'm writing this to teach myself and to create the learning resource I wished for. There will be tons of room for improvement:

Wording of explanations
Idiomatic usage of Zig
Additional exercises
Re-write the ziglings script using the Zig build system (or just a Zig application)

Planned exercises:

Hello world (main needs to be public)
Importing standard library
Assignment
Arrays
Strings
If
While
For
Functions
Errors (error/try/catch/if-else-err)
Defer (and errdefer)
Switch
Unreachable
Enums
Structs
Unions
Pointers
Pointer sized integers
Multi pointers
Slices
Integer rules
Floats
Labelled blocks
Labelled loops
Loops as expressions
Optionals
Comptime
Inline loops
Anonymous structs
Sentinel termination
Vectors
Imports

The initial topics for these exercises were unabashedly cribbed from ziglearn.org. I've since moved things around in an order that I think best lets each topic build upon each other.