Touring the Zig-EM code-scape (2024)

Summary

Touring the Zig•EM code-scape The next few blog posts will explore the Zig•EM programming framework in ever-greater detail – starting with instructions for installing the latest software version, and then moving on to a 10,000' overview that touches upon some core concepts and constructs of Zig•EM. Updating your installation The process for (initially) installing and (subsequently) updating your local version of Zig•EM boils down to three basic steps: install Zig clone zigem-dev execute zig build As part of step , you should have added the zig executable to your path. Invoke the zig version command for confirmation.(1) Zig•EM currently requires version 0.13.0 of Zig As for step , an initial git clone and subsequent git pull of the zigem-dev repository will take you to the latest release of Zig•EM. Tags on the main branch (v25.0.1, v25.0.2, ...) enable you to easily move to earlier releases.(1) If you wish to avoid the git command altogether, justdownload the sources for individual releases. Step will then build the zigem command-line executable, as well as download/install other required artifacts. Invoke zig build verify as a final test. You may want to consult these Getting started instructions for more detail on first-time installation. The Zig cache — a cornerstone of zig build As you might expect, the first invocation of zig build can take a fair amount of time; subsequent invocations of zig build, however, can complete almost instantenously. Not unlike make, the zig build-system strives to perform the minimal number of steps required to complete the task at hand. Should you choose to learn more(1)about the build-system, you'll quickly come to appreciate the critical role played by the Zig cache – a fascinating foundational element first described here in detail. In simple terms, virtually any artifact touched when invoking zig build will persist in Zig's filesystem cache. ziglang.orgzig.newskristoff.itmichelh.com Strange as it may seem, you won't find anything...