Rust and C ++: Together on the way to better programming integration

Rust and C ++: Together on the way to better programming integration

The Rust Foundation recently published an important document on Github that illuminates the challenges in interaction between the programming languages Rust and C ++. The foundation outlines both short -term and long -term solutions for improved interoperability between these two programming languages. This is particularly relevant because Rust, although it has established itself in system-related programming, often meets existing C ++ applications.

The interoperability between Rust and C ++ is a central topic, especially in the development of embedded systems or other resource-limited environments. The applications mentioned by the Rust Foundation are examples for practice: C ++ systems that implement new functions with Rust, Rust-based systems that use existing C ++ code, and systems that use several programming languages. C ++ has a much longer story, which is why many projects often have to work with existing C ++ code.

challenges of integration

A main obstacle in the common use of Rust and C ++ is the lack of a toolchain that allows C ++ and Rust code to mix in the same file. A FFI-based (Foreign Function Interface) approach is currently necessary to connect the two programming languages. This usually happens via the Application Binary Interface (ABI) of C, which is more stable and more platform-independent than the more complex C ++-Abis.

Another big problem is that many of Rust's security functions are largely lost when interaction with C. As a result, this is a serious challenge for developers who want to use Rust's strong security measures while interacting with C at the same time. The Rust Foundation describes C as the "Lingua Franca" for FFI integration, and the difficulties of creating a common communication basis, the use of specific rust features is severely restricted.

strategies for improvement

The Rust Foundation has defined three central strategies in its “C ++/Rust Interoperability Problem Statement” to optimize interoperability between these languages. First of all, the foundation plans to improve tools and to fix fundamental problems within the Rust project that make integration more difficult.

In addition, the aim is to find a consensus about a strategy, to identify and implement the necessary changes for Rust to increase interoperability. Another important point is the cooperation with the C ++ community and the C ++ standard committee to pursue common security and performance goals.

These approaches come at a time when Google granted the Rust Foundation generous support of $ 1 million in February 2024. These funding is intended to further advance the cooperation between Rust and C ++.

For more information, the details in the C ++/Rust problem statement on Github and in the announcements of the Rust Foundation can be read. These initiatives could potentially have a significant impact on the development and integration of software in the future, especially in areas where Rust and C ++ are shared.