Programming languages are often measured by their industry demand and scale of adoption, but some developers choose one language over another simply because they love it.
For many years, Rust has been a favorite of developers, successfully addressing the downsides of other programming languages, while having very few of its own. Its rapid industry adoption has continued to impress researchers and its stability, efficiency, and dedicated userbase continue to set it apart.
But what exactly makes this language the developer’s language of choice? This article will discuss just that.
Rust’s Formation
The programming language that has consistently topped Stack Overflow’s Development Survey began life in 2006 as the brainchild of Mozilla developer Graydon Hoare.
Reflecting upon the faulty elevator in his apartment one day (the result of a software crash), he felt that too many problems with everyday appliances were caused by lack of memory safety, a result of operating systems running on dynamically typed operating languages like C++.
He also felt that languages like Java and Python were too memory intensive and slow to compile. Rust was designed to address the shortcomings of both types of programming languages, something it still strives towards today.
Rust, the name itself a contraction of “robust,” would first be released publicly in 2015, and quickly saw rapid adoption amongst developers and major companies like Meta and Amazon. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the mass layoffs from Mozilla, the Rust foundation would be formed in 2021 to preserve the language, with the backing of five major companies, including Mozilla and Microsoft.
What Rust Offers
Rust comes with numerous core programming features to make the lives of developers that much easier:
- Memory safety – Perhaps the most notable feature of Rust is its use of a compiler and statically written code. Memory is analyzed by the compiler before the program starts, ensuring better stability and effective resource management.
- Improved error messages – Vague error messages are the bane of any programmer. With effective color-coding and proper formatting, Rust reduces the time spent looking for coding errors.
- Pattern matching – In Rust, patterns are used with “match” expressions for greater control over the flow of code, by matching the structure of a value and binding variables to it.
- Automatic type inference – Automatic inference drastically cuts time spent coding.
- Borrow checker – Rust’s compiler is proficient in keeping memory safe by using a borrow checker to eliminate references that outlive their referred data.
- Zero-cost abstractions – Too much coding costs time and performance speed. Rust provides plenty of pre-written abstractions that cut out the busywork and keep things smooth.
- Pattern matching – Users of Rust are given better control flow with this handy feature. It works for such patterns as wild cards, variables, placeholders, and literals.
Rust is commonly used in embedded systems, and at lower levels with foundational code (bare-metal development). It’s been used in projects too numerous to count:
- Rust can and has been used to develop operating systems and system drivers, where memory safety is paramount. Google’s Fuschia was built using rust.
- Its proficiency in high-speed and effective resource management make it a favorite for designing critical backend systems on sites and in software.
- Rust’s async programming model allows it to craft APIs, web servers, and other components central to effective web design.
- The stability of Rust and its resource management allow it to be used in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency.
Who Uses Rust?
To understand Rust’s popularity, including its dedicated fanbase (dubbed “Rustaceans”), it’s important to first understand the many types of people that use this language.
- Developers – First up are the most obvious. Developers love Rust for its memory safety, streamlined efficiency, and effective resource management.
- Companies – Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Huawei, and plenty of smaller companies rely on Rust to run embedded systems, provide webservices, host machine learning and much more. There’s a reason the Rust Foundation was so well backed when launching in 2021.
- Students – The next generation of programmers also appreciate Rust for its accessibility and online community.
- Enthusiasts – Rust’s free and open-sourced language allows many hobbyists, amateur and pro alike, to tinker and innovate with the language, constantly evolving it and contributing to the wider ecosystem.
The Beloved Language
But what is it about Rust that causes its fans to identify themselves as “Rustaceans” and create whole sites praising the language?
Memory Safety
It’s been mentioned a few times already, but memory safety really is the major selling point of Rust. Dynamic languages like C++, Python, and JavaScript check their variables at run-time. This may mean faster startups, but should any memory errors occur, the entire system will run into problems, often crashing.
Rust’s compiler negates this by checking all variables and references before startup. If there are problems, they’re caught early. There’s also no garbage collection during runtime, unlike other languages. This not only frees up space during execution but also allows developers to have precise control over memory, courtesy of ownership and borrowing rules.
Efficiency and Speed
Since memory can be creator-allocated before startup, and not constantly checked during execution, more processes can be run, and more efficiently too. This is thanks not only to the lack of garbage collector, but also Rust’s core functions, not to mention its reusable library code.
As it requires less nitty gritty input through zero-cost abstractions, there’s less code to parse, less stray references lying about, and a faster overall code.
Flexibility
From low-level coding of operating system kernels to high powered backend design, the flexibility of Rust means that it can be used on a wide-variety of devices, and for any number of tasks. The language also allows its users the freedom to design without safety rails or even language limits.
Take, for example, Unsafe Rust, the programming language for pros. When the standard Rust language isn’t quite able to express a concept or execute a process, Unsafe Rust exists as a viable alternative. Provided users are comfortable with ensuring the safety of their own code, the language greatly expands the realm of development possibilities.
Rust also plays well with other languages. The “Efficient C Bindings” feature allows the language to operate in conjunction with the C language. APIs can be communicated with thanks to a foreign function interface, without compromising Rust’s speed or memory safety.
Finally, Rust is more than capable of working on multiple platforms. Be it Windows, Linux, Unix, or even MacOS, the language can be used to manage configurations and develop software on any operating system, while still being able to negotiate the particulars of each. What’s more, the code designed on any platform is easy to share with others.
It truly is a versatile language.
Open Source
Who doesn’t love a good piece of free software? Rust has always been an open-sourced and freely available language, designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. This has led to a democratized coding language which is constantly innovating, improving, and evolving the foundational code.
The Rust Ecosystem
Thanks to its open-source nature, Rust has built a welcoming and well-established community. Newcomers to the language will have no problem finding the help they need, thanks to various forums and Subreddits.
What’s more, the community also boasts extensive libraries of toolkits and pre-written scripts, well over 60,000 by this stage. “Crates.io” acts as a resource point for users looking to navigate and find libraries. These databases not only provide a wealth of information and toolchains, but also allow for users of other languages to make the jump to Rust more effectively.
Rust’s toolchains are installed via through the installer “rustup.” Within these installations, the command line tool Cargo allows users to better integrate the new toolchain into existing frameworks, be that managing dependencies or running tests. These fundamental additions make it easier for the community to get started on programming, without having to reinvent the wheel.
The Limitations
Nothing is perfect after all, and Rustaceans will be the first to admit that about their beloved language. Even if the many benefits and customizability make programming in Rust a delight, there are still occasional problems that pop up.
Rust’s big memory safety feature, the compiler, can also be a hindrance to new programmers or those coming from dynamically typed ones. The compiler won’t start up the code until all errors are addressed. The community has done much to make these error messages more helpful, but it can be tough for those wanting to see at least part of their code at work.
This statically typed compilation makes it difficult to partially design or prototype solutions for testing, as all variables need to be considered before compilation can take place. Reliability and safety come at a price.
The language itself is also quite new and not as widely adopted as C++ or Python. There are fewer systems that run Rust, and the libraries and forums, though welcoming and comprehensive, are limited in comparison to other programming languages.
That said, for such a young language, Rust’s dedicated userbase will most likely prove the solid foundation that sees the language move from strength to strength in the coming decades.
A Safe Bet for the Future
Rust stands not only on its own merits as a memory safe, resource-efficient, and highly flexible coding language, but also builds its reputation from a dedicated userbase. That userbase not only supports and promotes it, but plays an active part in its ongoing evolution and innovation.
It’s a language that’s designed to be reliable and accessible, and well loved not only for what it does, but the great potential it holds.
