ZER(C) Language — VS Code Extension

Memory-safe C. Same syntax, same mental model — but the compiler prevents buffer overflows, use-after-free, null dereferences, and silent memory corruption.

Zero setup. Compiler, LSP, and GCC are bundled. Install the extension, open a .zer file, start coding.

Features

Syntax highlighting — keywords, types, intrinsics, operators
LSP diagnostics — real-time errors and warnings as you type
Hover info — type information on hover
Completions — keywords, intrinsics, types, builtins
Bundled compiler — zerc available in VS Code terminal
Bundled GCC — zerc --run compiles and executes directly, no toolchain setup

Quick Start

Install the extension
Create a file hello.zer:

i32 puts(const *u8 s);

u32 main() {
    puts("Hello, ZER!");
    return 0;
}

Open VS Code terminal and run:

zerc hello.zer --run

What ZER Prevents

Bug Class	How
Buffer overflow	Bounds check on every array/slice access
Use-after-free	Handle generation counter (Pool/Slab)
Null dereference	`*T` is non-null, `?T` requires unwrap
Integer overflow	Wraps (defined), never UB
Division by zero	Compile error if divisor not proven nonzero
Dangling pointer	Scope escape analysis at compile time
Silent truncation	Must use `@truncate` or `@saturate` explicitly

Syntax Differences from C

// Braces ALWAYS required
if (x > 5) { return 1; }

// No ++ or --
i += 1;

// Array size between type and name
u8[256] buffer;

// Pointer: star before type
*Task ptr = &task;

// Optional unwrap
u32 val = get_value() orelse return;

// Enum dot syntax
State s = State.idle;
switch (s) {
    .idle => { start(); }
    .running => { poll(); }
}

// Safe allocation — no malloc/free
Pool(Task, 8) tasks;           // fixed pool
Slab(Task) dynamic_tasks;      // growable pool
Handle(Task) h = tasks.alloc() orelse return;
tasks.get(h).id = 42;          // generation-checked access
tasks.free(h);                 // safe free, get() traps after

Configuration

Setting	Default	Description
`zer.lspPath`	(bundled)	Path to `zer-lsp` executable. Leave empty to use bundled.
`zer.lspArgs`	`[]`	Additional arguments for `zer-lsp`

ZER Lang

Zerohexer