C From Scratch
Learn safety-critical C with prove-first methodology
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Seven modules teaching C the way safety-critical systems are actually built: MATH → STRUCT → CODE → TEST.Each module answers one question: Does it exist? (Pulse), Is it normal? (Baseline), Is it regular? (Timing), Is it trending? (Drift), Which sensor to trust? (Consensus), How to handle overflow? (Pressure), What do we do about it? (Mode).Every module is closed (no dependencies), total (handles all inputs), deterministic, and O(1). 83 tests passing.Built this after 30 years in UNIX systems. Wanted something that teaches the rigour behind certified systems without requiring a decade of on-the-job learning first.MIT licensed. Feedback welcome.
HN · launched Jan 25, 2026 · 72 upvotes (top 14%) · 0 views
Niche: technical and professional online courses · 143 launches, 7 in the last 7 days ▼ -22% · Explore this niche →
Category and tags
- Education
- Dev tools
- Developer
- Not AI
- Hobby / open-source project
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More like this: all 143 launches in technical and professional online courses →
Could you build this?
No Developing an educational curriculum for safety-critical C requires rigorous, authoritative domain knowledge in formal verification, MISRA standards, safety standards (ISO 26262/DO-178C), and aerospace/embedded systems design.
What it would actually take: Building this curriculum requires safety-critical embedded systems engineers who understand formal methods (like Frama-C, SPARK, or static analysis tools), mathematical specification of invariants, and mission-critical fault tolerance. The material requires verifiable mathematical proofs, real sensor hardware mockups, and strict compliance tests demonstrating deterministic execution and overflow mitigation.
Discussion
12 comments analyzed.
Competitors mentioned: Rust (alternative language for safe systems), Claude (AI for verified JavaCard VM implementation), Towards Zero Defect Programming by Allan Stavely, Dijkstra's mechanical program derivation approach
Concerns raised: AI-generated writing style and lack of authentic prose, Book uses C instead of Rust for safe, reliable programs, Certification complexity is process-driven, not code-design-driven, Undisclosed AI use in writing and portfolio, Undefined behavior and safety issues with C (integer overflow)
Feature requests: Disclose if LLMs were used to produce content, Use Rust instead of C for teaching safe, certified systems
Competitors
Other products that read as similar to this one : 117 launches clear the similarity bar, closest 8 shown.
Attention rank: #17 of 118 (itself plus its competitors, highest first, normalized so YC and Product Hunt are compared fairly).
Launched 81 days after the earliest competitor.
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