C# vs. Java int: Primitive type semantics, runtime behavior and tribal knowledge

#1

Post by msiyer » Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 5:24 AM UTC

C# vs. Java int: Primitive type semantics, runtime behavior and tribal knowledge
msiyer.com

Re: C# vs. Java int: Primitive type semantics, runtime behavior and tribal knowledge

#2

Post by msiyer » Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 5:24 AM UTC

A Reddit debate over C# vs. Java int, sparked by a Microsoft engineer’s claim that C#’s int is a primitive, revealed confusion amplified by `Type.IsPrimitive`. This led to the Lₐₓ/Lₐₜ/R (LAX/LAT/R) taxonomy: a framework to classify types by their language-level, atomic, and runtime properties, resolving disputes rooted in specs and tribal knowledge.

Re: C# vs. Java int: Primitive type semantics, runtime behavior and tribal knowledge

#3

Post by mwkaufma » Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 6:19 AM UTC

GenAI red flags.

Re: C# vs. Java int: Primitive type semantics, runtime behavior and tribal knowledge

#4

Post by msiyer » Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 8:16 AM UTC

mwkaufma wrote: post #3

GenAI red flags.

move on.

Re: C# vs. Java int: Primitive type semantics, runtime behavior and tribal knowledge

#5

Post by pragmatic » Tue, Aug 19, 2025, 11:45 PM UTC

msiyer wrote: post #2

A Reddit debate over C# vs. Java int, sparked by a Microsoft engineer’s claim that C#’s int is a primitive, revealed confusion amplified by `Type.IsPrimitive`. This led to the Lₐₓ/Lₐₜ/R (LAX/LAT/R) taxonomy: a framework to classify types by their language-level, atomic, and runtime properties, resolving disputes rooted in specs and tribal knowledge.

Wow very indepth.

This used to be (and still is in some circles) a hot topic.

.net had the benefit of coning second and fixed a lot of java's design issues. It really use a better java.

Of course in the days of JavaScript desktop apps and python, people just don't need to pay attention to perf as much for better or worse.

Re: C# vs. Java int: Primitive type semantics, runtime behavior and tribal knowledge

#6

Post by msiyer » Wed, Aug 20, 2025, 2:42 AM UTC

pragmatic wrote: post #5

msiyer wrote: post #2

A Reddit debate over C# vs. Java int, sparked by a Microsoft engineer’s claim that C#’s int is a primitive, revealed confusion amplified by `Type.IsPrimitive`. This led to the Lₐₓ/Lₐₜ/R (LAX/LAT/R) taxonomy: a framework to classify types by their language-level, atomic, and runtime properties, resolving disputes rooted in specs and tribal knowledge.

Wow very indepth. This used to be (and still is in some circles) a hot topic. .net had the benefit of coning second and fixed a lot of java's design issues. It really use a better java. Of course in the days of JavaScript desktop apps and python, people just don't need to pay attention to perf as much for better or worse.

Thank you! Happy to see a positive comment. Took a lot of effort.

I like long-form writing. However, it takes a lot of effort. So, I end up not writing often.

It is a hot topic especially among polyglots who have to deal with the same word meaning different in different languages.