Learn ZIG with Real Code Examples

Zig is a compiled language that provides fine-grained control over memory and system resources.

It combines simplicity with modern safety features like optional types and error handling.

Commonly used in operating systems, game engines, embedded systems, and performance-critical applications.

Statically typed with no hidden control flow

Comptime metaprogramming

Direct access to pointers and memory

Simple syntax for performance and clarity

No hidden allocations or runtime surprises

Comptime code execution

Error unions and error handling

Optional types and pointer management

Slices, arrays, and structs

Direct C interoperability

src/ - source code files

build.zig - build configuration script

tests/ - test files

lib/ - optional libraries

bin/ - compiled executables

Write Zig source code in src/ directory

Use `zig build` for compilation

Run tests using `zig test`

Cross-compile using `zig build -Dtarget=...`

Integrate C libraries if needed

Beginner: simple CLI applications

Intermediate: memory-safe system utilities

Advanced: cross-platform libraries

Expert: OS or embedded firmware

Enterprise: high-performance computational tools

More memory-safe than C, less than Rust

Simpler syntax than C++

Cross-compilation easier than Go or Rust

Less standard library than C++ or Rust

Closer to hardware than Python or Java

2015 – Initial Zig development by Andrew Kelley

2016–2018 – Early compiler prototypes and community feedback

2019 – Zig 0.5 with LLVM backend

2020s – Stability improvements and C interop refinements

2025 – Mature 1.0 release candidate with broad platform support

Comptime: code executed at compile-time

Slice: view into a memory buffer

Error Union: type representing success or error

Optional Type: may contain value or be null

Zig Build: build system and project manager