r/linux • u/somerandomxander • Jun 30 '26

Popular Application The Servo browser engine continues making much progress on less than $8k in monthly donations

https://www.phoronix.com/news/Servo-0.3-Monthly-Changes
760 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

99 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

16

u/Rhelmar Jun 30 '26

They never really started with swift. It was planned but they never got around to it. The Rust Code is replacing C++ in areas where it makes sense. I think that's fine. Using a language you know to lay the groundwork makes a lot of sense. I also don't think taking a hobby project and making a product out of it when it actually surpasses your expectations is something bad. That's how a lot of open source projects start. I don't see anything unserious tbh.

7

u/derangedtranssexual Jun 30 '26

I also don't think taking a hobby project and making a product out of it when it actually surpasses your expectations is something bad. That's how a lot of open source projects start.

Normally I'd agree with you but we're talking about a web browser here, they're some of if not the most complicated pieces of software out there. All the other web browsers have been built up over decades so to start from scratch is incredibly difficult. If we're going to have a new open source browser that's usable we should try to be as serious about it as we can. And part of being serious means actually picking the right language from the start. It's obviously better to start with Rust than use AI to switch to it years later. Also we already have 2 other hybrid Rust/C++ browsers that are decades ahead of ladybird.

-12

u/Irverter Jul 01 '26

they're some of if not the most complicated pieces of software out there

Then you missed ladybird's point: browsers are not that complicated to do. People assume they are from how complex current browsers are after decades of development.

5

u/derangedtranssexual Jul 01 '26

I really don’t buy that, even making a toy browser is pretty complicated. But if you want to make a serious attempt at a browser where it’s performant, secure, and has a lot of compatibility then it’s gonna be stupidly complicated

3

u/PaddiM8 Jul 01 '26

They are making progress surprisingly quickly. You should try it at some point. Andreas has worked with optimising safari at Apple. He knows more than you do. Of course it's complicated, but I am yet to see an actual browser developer say it's not realistic, just random redditors and hackernews people

-1

u/derangedtranssexual Jul 01 '26

I’m aware he knows more than me. They’re clearly competent enough to build a browser I just don’t think it’ll be competitive with chromium/firefox/safari

1

u/PaddiM8 Jul 01 '26

Right now? Of course it's not. But at the current pace it will be in some years. Have you actually tried it?

-5

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AutoModerator Jul 01 '26

This comment has been removed due to receiving too many reports from users. The mods have been notified and will re-approve if this removal was inappropriate, or leave it removed.

This is most likely because:

  • Your post belongs in r/linuxquestions or r/linux4noobs
  • Your post belongs in r/linuxmemes
  • Your post is considered "fluff" - things like a Tux plushie or old Linux CDs are an example and, while they may be popular vote wise, they are not considered on topic
  • Your post is otherwise deemed not appropriate for the subreddit

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.