[deng]

> Many of us believe on automatic memory management for systems programming

The problem is the term "systems programming". For some, it's kernels and device drivers. For some, it's embedded real-time systems. For some, it's databases, game engines, compilers, language run-times, whatever.

There is no GC that could possibly handle all these use-cases.

[amelius]

But there could be a smoother path between having a GC and having no GC.

Right now, you'd have to switch languages.

But in a Great Language you'd just have to refactor some code.

[troad]

Why would you have to switch languages? There are no languages with 'no GC', there are only languages with no GC by default.

Take C - you can either manually manage your memory with malloc() and free(), or you can #include a GC library (-lgc is probably already on your system), and use GC_malloc() instead. Or possibly mix and match, if you're bold and have specific needs.

And if ever some new revolutionary GC method is developed, you can just replace your #include. Cutting-edge automatic memory management forever.

[pjmlp]

Except there is, only among GC-haters there is not.

People forget there isn't ONE GC, rather several of possible implementations depending on the use case.

Java Real-Time GC implementations are quite capable to power weapon targeting systems in the battlefield, where a failure causes the wrong side to die.

> Aonix PERC Ultra Virtual Machine supports Lockheed Martin's Java components in Aegis Weapon System aboard guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill

https://www.militaryaerospace.com/computers/article/16724324...

> Thales Air Systems Selects Aonix PERC Ultra For Java Execution on Ground Radar Systems

https://vita.militaryembedded.com/5922-thales-execution-grou...

Aonix is nowadays owned by PTC, and there are other companies in the field offering similar implementations.

[deng]

Look, when someone says "There's no thing that could handle A,B,C, and D at the same time", answering "But there's one handling B" is not very convincing.

(Also, what's with this stupid "hater" thing, it's garbage collection we're talking about, not war crimes)