[Oberon] [EXT] Memory-unsafe languages discouraged by US Government

[Skulski, Wojciech]

The reason I posted this note, apart from the intense feeling of satisfaction, is that it may provide an avenue for funding. I do not know how many of you are thinking of the Oberon language and the OS as the forward looking tool. Chris of course. But in any case, a document like this can be a solid launching pad. That's one of the lessons I have learned in the USA. Consider the Gov't roadmaps a funding opportunity. The rest is in the execution of this general idea. If you are in the USA then think how to make it a business. If outside then talk to your own Gov't. Get money, get going, advance the NW legacy.
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From: Oberon [oberon-bounces at lists.inf.ethz.ch] on behalf of Skulski, Wojciech [skulski at pas.rochester.edu]
Sent: Friday, March 1, 2024 12:00 AM
To: ETH Oberon and related systems
Subject: [EXT] [Oberon] Memory-unsafe languages discouraged by US Government

The US White House put out a document discouraging the use of memory-unsafe languages like C/C++ due to their inherent lack of security. Apparently memory mismanagement is the cause of ~70% of security vulnerabilities. The Gov't recommended a number of safer languages instead, like Rust, Delphi/Pascal, Python, or Javascript.

Quoting from the text: The highest leverage method to reduce memory safety vulnerabilities is to secure one of the building blocks of cyberspace: the programming language. Using memory safe programming languages can eliminate most memory safety errors. While in some distinct situations, using a memory safe language may not be feasible – this report examines space systems as a unique edge case and identifies memory safe hardware and formal methods as complementary ways to achieve a similar outcome – in most cases, using a memory safe programming language is the most efficient way to substantially improve software security

BACK TO THE BUILDING BLOCKS:  A PATH TOWARD SECURE AND MEASURABLE SOFTWARE, FEBRUARY 2024
https://www.tomshardware.com/software/security-software/white-house-urges-developers-to-avoid-c-and-c-use-memory-safe-programming-languages