Chapter 16. Calling C

One of Zig's design goals is direct interoperability with C.

7 items

Section	Title
1	Calling C
2	`@cImport`
3	Header Translation
4	Linking Libraries
5	Calling Zig from C
6	ABI and Layout
7	Exercises

Writes › Book › Learn › Learn Zig › Chapter 16. Calling C ›

Calling C

One of Zig's design goals is direct interoperability with C.

Writes › Book › Learn › Learn Zig › Chapter 16. Calling C ›

`@cImport`

Writing every C declaration by hand is tedious. Zig can read C headers directly.

Writes › Book › Learn › Learn Zig › Chapter 16. Calling C ›

Header Translation

@cImport does two jobs.

Writes › Book › Learn › Learn Zig › Chapter 16. Calling C ›

Linking Libraries

Calling a C function is only half the job. The linker must also find the code for that function.

Writes › Book › Learn › Learn Zig › Chapter 16. Calling C ›

Calling Zig from C

C can call Zig when the Zig function is exported with a C-compatible ABI.

Writes › Book › Learn › Learn Zig › Chapter 16. Calling C ›

ABI and Layout

A C program and a Zig program can share data only when both sides agree on layout.

Writes › Book › Learn › Learn Zig › Chapter 16. Calling C ›

Exercises

Exercise 16-1. Write a C file containing this function: