2024-11-15
Virtually every language has a standard library, some prefer to keep it minimal (Zig), and some like it big (Java).
The main argument against "big" standard libraries is lack of maintainability.
The main argument against "slim" standard libraries is third-party packages hell (Rust).
The optimal solution is having a "stable" std and "rolling" std.
The stable std will be upheld for full backwards compatibility, reliability, and performance.
The rolling std will have much loser regulation, enabling it to easily experiment and implement new features; SIMD intrinsics, first-class ser/deser, and concurrency primitives.