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Linus Torvalds: Speaks on the Rust vs C Linux Divide

Linus Torvalds Speaks on the the divide between Rust and C Linux developers an the future Linux. Will things like fragmentation among the open source community hurt the Linux Kernel? We'll listen to the Creator of Linux.


For the full key note, checkout:

The Register's summary: Torvalds weighs in on 'nasty' Rust vs C for Linux debate

This entry was edited (7 months ago)
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You'r right that only OCaml and Haskell can be used as extraction target for Coq programs. However, it is possible to use Coq to write verified C software. On example is the Verified Software Toolchain that lets you translate C programs to a format that Coq understands and can prove theorems regarding their behavior.
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If anything I think that the current rust discourse is a fad. I'm not sure what it is about rust that makes people have so strong opinions about it but I can't wait for it to become a "normal" language so that people can chill about it a bit.
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it's a polite way of saying, "intelligence vs emacs"
This entry was edited (6 months ago)
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C isn't too hard if you learn about how memory and pointers work, which seems to be something Rust tries to get away from. So I'm not sure it would make you a better C programmer.
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I agree. People need to chill.
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I think it can be summed up to
C is more mature than Rust so we wait for Rust to shine
Rust can overcome some complex things in C and vice versa
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It's also possible the number of people who like it do not outnumber the people who don't like it
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Linus Torvalds has made some interesting comments on the Rust vs C debate in the Linux kernel. He enjoys the discussions because it shows that people care about the project, even though things can get a little heated like the classic vi vs emacs arguments. The Rust conversation is still in its early days, and while Linus is optimistic about its future in the kernel, it’s too soon to say whether it will ultimately succeed or fail.

He points out that the Linux kernel isn't just "normal" C it's C with additional tools and rules that ensure memory safety and other protections. This incremental approach has allowed for changes without causing the kind of backlash that Rust has faced with its more dramatic changes.

At the end of the day, the kernel has to deal with system-level issues, and unless you're working in assembly, it’s going to be C, C-like, or Rust. Linus is looking forward to seeing how other systems outside of Linux might adopt Rust for their own needs.

If you're interested in exploring more of these tech discussions or maybe looking for some related tools, you can download APK for access to various Linux utilities on mobile.

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What exactly makes rust memory safe? That's the big selling point of it right? Is the compiler just more strict?
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@λλλ @x00za Well for what it's worth, there is Redox, a Posix compliant kernel written entirely in Rust. There are some other aspects of Redox I don't like, chiefly it's use of a microkernel, which, while it makes portability better it exacts a performance penalty, and of having all drivers operate in userland, perhaps better from a security standpoint but again exacts a performance penalty.
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