Snac: A simple, minimalistic ActivityPub instance (codeberg.org)
from cyrano@lemmy.dbzer0.com to selfhosted@lemmy.world on 23 Mar 23:25
https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/40632349

cross-posted from: lemmy.zip/post/34733394

Snac (AKA Snac2) is a minimal microblogging ActivityPub instance written in C.

Features (from its Codeberg repo):

  • Lightweight, minimal dependencies
  • Extensive support of ActivityPub operations, e.g. write public notes, follow users, be followed, reply to the notes of others, admire wonderful content (like or boost), write private messages…
  • Multiuser
  • Mastodon API support, so Mastodon-compatible apps can be used
  • Simple but effective web interface
  • Easily-accessed MUTE button to silence morons
  • Tested interoperability with related software
  • No database needed
  • Totally JavaScript-free
  • No cookies either
  • Not much bullshit

#selfhosted

threaded - newest

DaveX64@lemmy.ca on 24 Mar 01:54 next collapse

Also available in the Arch User Repository:

aur.archlinux.org/packages/snac

atzanteol@sh.itjust.works on 24 Mar 04:50 next collapse

Bonkers that anyone would start a social media app in C in 2025. “No JavaScript” but you’re just one buffer overflow from arbitrary code execution.

z3r0_Geek@lemmy.zip on 24 Mar 06:29 next collapse

How is that?

atzanteol@sh.itjust.works on 24 Mar 07:06 collapse

C is a “memory unsafe” language. There are whole categories of security vulnerabilities that simply aren’t possible in memory-safe languages that C allows. There is no good reason to continue using C anymore for new projects if you care at all about security.

www.cisa.gov/…/product-security-bad-practices

eutampieri@feddit.it on 24 Mar 07:10 next collapse

I’m a rust fan, but may I remind you that the Linux kernel is mostly C?

atzanteol@sh.itjust.works on 24 Mar 07:30 collapse

No. Go away. That’s not “starting a social media app” now is it?

Besides, even the Linux team has started the shift away from C.

Edit: besides - “Linux does it” doesn’t mean it’s beyond criticism. Linux has had numerous security vulnerabilities due to C.

killeronthecorner@lemmy.world on 24 Mar 12:35 collapse

Please write the “C considered harmful blog post”. I just want to see everyone’s faces. Pleeeeeease.

atzanteol@sh.itjust.works on 24 Mar 14:08 collapse

Others have written on the topic. Including Greg KH - one of the major Linux maintainers.

lkml.org/lkml/2025/2/19/222

killeronthecorner@lemmy.world on 24 Mar 14:18 collapse

Yes but those are inferior because they aren’t in a rage-baiting meme format

56_@lemmy.ml on 24 Mar 09:32 next collapse

I feel like snac is social media made specifically for people who like C though. I’m sure most users of it are well aware of the implications.

sugoidogo@discuss.online on 24 Mar 12:16 collapse

C is also faster than JavaScript, uses less memory, and memory safety isn’t impossible in C either. I wouldn’t consider a scripting language to even be a choice for writing a backend server if I can use a compiled language instead.

atzanteol@sh.itjust.works on 24 Mar 13:07 next collapse

memory safety isn’t impossible in C

In practice it is.

C is also faster than JavaScript, uses less memory, I wouldn’t consider a scripting language to even be a choice for writing a backend server if I can use a compiled language instead.

Neat.

jewbies@lemmynsfw.com on 24 Mar 14:18 collapse

I do get your point and agree.

But Id just like to point out that there is no such thing as “compiled” languages. The compiler or interpretor is the implementation of the spec. Did you know that there are interpreted versions of c?

eutampieri@feddit.it on 24 Mar 07:06 collapse

I run it, it’s kinda cool