5 Ways Rust Programming Language Is Used

The technological advancements of the last couple of decades have dramatically changed the landscape of our professional and personal lives. Now more than ever, companies are reliant on computer software to help manage their day-to-day tasks, from keeping records to analysing data. Given our reliance on computers, it is crucial that they perform to the best of their ability, and that’s where programming languages like Rust come in.

There are various programming languages, but there is one in particular that is fast becoming one of the tech industry’s most talked-about; Rust. Though other programming languages like JavaScript and HTML are leading the pack in terms of popularity, an increasing number of developers are drawn to Rust because of its simplicity, efficiency, and safety.

In this guide, we will explore Rust’s various uses, examples of how companies have implemented it, how to source Rust developers for your business, and the perks of pursuing a career in Rust programming.

What Is Rust?

Established in 2006 by the software company Mozilla, Rust is a systems programming language that is largely used for memory management, safety, and performance. Programmers have praised Rust for its emphasis on memory safety, an aspect that makes it all the more attractive to businesses that value data security.

As a modern alternative to languages like C and C++, Rust is becoming the language of choice for developers who appreciate scalability and concurrency. The Stack Overflow Developer Survey from 2022 found that Rust is the most beloved programming language, a testament to its growing popularity.

Hailed as an exciting and evolving language, Rust gives developers the ability to create modern software with the potential to outcompete other more widely used languages. Here are the key benefits of Rust programming language:

Memory Safety

Cyber security is one of the most vital aspects to consider when it comes to building computer software. Rust is designed in a way that ensures memory safety, so you can program away without having to worry about software bugs or vulnerabilities. It is able to prevent memory-related bugs such as buffer overflows and null pointer differences thanks to design features like ownership transfer, unsafe blocks, and ownership-based concurrency time.

Versatility

If you are looking for a programming language that can be used across a range of platforms, Rust has you covered. It can run on Windows, Linux, and macOS with ease, making it ideal for those who value software portability.

High performance

Many programmers enjoy using Rust due to how fast it is. In fact, its speed is comparable with the C and C++ programming languages. There are many reasons why Rust is able to achieve high performance without sacrificing memory safety, such as its zero-cost abstractions, secure concurrency, and low-level control.

Community

Given that Rust is somewhat on-trend at the moment, it is little wonder why such a dedicated community of developers love using this language. There are numerous handy resources regarding Rust, so if you get stuck with anything, an explanation will only be a few clicks away. One of the most useful resources is the community section of the Rust language website. Here, you have access to forums where you can brainstorm Rust project concepts and issues with other developers, and there is also an abundance of information regarding developer meetups.

Backward compatibility

Rust is expanding and evolving, and a new version of the language is released every 6 weeks. Given how frequent the updates are, Rust’s highly skilled development team strives to ensure that older code is still able to run alongside new and updated versions of the language. While each has new features and improvements, they are designed with backwards compatibility in mind.

How Can Rust Programming Language Be Used?

From game development to building backend systems for data science, Rust programming language has a wide array of uses. Its winning combination of speed, simplicity, and safety makes it incredibly dynamic. Here are 5 of the most common ways Rust programming language is used:

Web Development

Rust is an all-purpose language with a reputation for its high performance and safety, so there is little wonder why so many use it for web development. Not only is it built to be bug-free, but it is also capable of achieving better run times and lower latency. Another reason developers are opting for Rust is that it doesn’t rely on a garbage collector, a memory management tool that can hamper performance times. Though other established languages like JavaScript and Python are more closely associated with web development, Rust has the potential to become the go-to programming language for developers in the future.

Network Programming

Owing to its memory safety and concurrency features, Rust is an ideal programming language for network programming. Those who wish to build network applications that blend speed and security will surely be impressed by what Rust has to offer. The language’s Tokio software library has an array of useful tools developers can use to create secure, efficient, and scalable network applications. Rust can be used for a range of network programming-related tasks, including asynchronous networking, HTTP client and server development, and network protocol development.

System Programming

Owing to its winning combination of safety, high performance, and low-level control, Rust has become a popular choice for system programming purposes, particularly the development of operating systems. In an age where cyber-attacks are becoming all the more common, it is crucial for operating systems to be as secure as possible. Because of this, many system programmers are drawn to the Rust programming language because of its impressive level of memory safety. Rust’s backward compatibility and relatively quick run times are other perks that impress system programmers.

Game Development

While many game developers typically opt for programming languages such as C# and C++, Rust is fast becoming a go-to option. Its speedy runtimes and efficiency make it perfect for developing games via game engines like Piston and Amethyst Engine. Rust has a variety of similarities to C++, so developers wishing to expand their knowledge base shouldn’t have too much trouble learning how to master it. Creating game engines, implementing game logic, and cross-platform development are just a few of the ways in which Rust can be used in game development.

Data Science Backend

Another handy use for Rust programming language is building backend systems for data science. Programmers typically use Python and R for data science, but Rust’s security and high performance make it a perfect choice for creating safe and speedy data analytics tools. By using Rust for data science, developers will be able to implement performance-critical algorithms, build data processing pipelines, and develop web-based data visualisation tools with outstanding results.

How Do Companies Implement Rust Programming Language?

Now that you are familiar with all things Rust, you are probably intrigued as to how your developer team could implement this programming language in your organisation. To give you a flavour of how you could be getting the most out of Rust, here are a few notable examples of companies that have used the language to their advantage.

Facebook

The first programming language Facebook used when creating its source control backend was Python, and this has since been rewritten in Rust. Given the amount of sensitive data Facebook (now Meta) handles, their tech team were on the lookout for a programming language with strong safety features, and that’s what drew them to Rust. The social media giant first used Rust back in 2016, and by 2019, they were employing over 100 Rust developers. Facebook is committed to the development of Rust, so much so that they are members of the Rust Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to championing and promoting the language.

Discord

Much like Facebook, Discord is a platform that requires a robust and secure programming language, hence why they have opted for Rust. Both the client and server sides of its codebase are written in Rust, and their software engineers decided to switch from Go to Rust for their Read States service. They were drawn to Rust’s speed and memory efficiency, advantages it is able to achieve due to not having runtime or a garbage collector.

Dropbox

Dropbox is a file hosting platform that offers cloud storage and file synchronisation services, and it relies on Rust programming language for core parts of its file-syncing system. Their software engineers found that Rust outcompeted other languages, such as Python in numerous areas. They use Rust for vital components, including block storage and load balancing, elements that its services rely on.

Microsoft

Microsoft is a strong advocate of Rust programming language, and they use it for their Windows operating system. Not only have they released a Rust for Windows program, but they are also founding members of the Rust Foundation. Their commitment to Rust is due to the language’s emphasis on memory safety. They found that 70% of security patches are caused by memory-related bugs and believe that Rust would have been capable of detecting these issues during the development stage. Microsoft’s engineers are in the process of creating a standard Windows library for Rust, and one of their goals is to develop their own programming language inspired by Rust’s features.

Amazon

Amazon is a technology company that has taken the world by storm, selling electronics, homeware, music, and all manner of other goods. Amazon Web Services is an IT service management company and a subsidiary of Amazon that uses Rust to maintain its speedy and secure software. As a testament to how much Amazon values Rust, they released Firecracker, their first Rust-based product, back in 2018. As one of the earliest advocates for the language, Amazon Web Services is particularly impressed by its excellent memory safety and how it is able to resolve memory-related faults that are common in other languages, such as C and C++.

Hiring Rust Developers For Your Company

Are you looking to hire a talented Rust developer to enhance your software systems? There are a few things to bear in mind before you make a job offer. Here are some useful bits of guidance that’ll help you to hire the right Rust programmer for your organisation:

Decide On Your Ideal Hiring Method

There are various ways to hire your Rust developer, and which one you choose ultimately depends on what is best for your business. If you don’t want to hire a candidate on a full-time basis, you could use an outstaffing company. Alternatively, you could recruit a Rust developer to be a member of your in-house team, a particularly preferable option if the role is office-based.

Clearly Define Your Preferences

Rust programming is a broad field, and there is a diverse array of job opportunities out there. This is why it’s crucial to clearly define the ins and outs of your particular role. Before posting the job ad, think about what you want to accomplish with the developer and your expectations.

Look For Rust-Specific Experience

The programming market is very competitive, so don’t be surprised if you receive a significant number of applications from developers looking for the next step in their careers. When screening candidates, it’s vital to prioritise those who have Rust-specific experience. Rust is relatively new and not as common as other languages like HTML or Java, so you need to ensure your potential employee has specialist knowledge of Rust rather than just a general understanding of programming languages.

Assess Their Coding Skills

Your potential Rust developer may be able to prevent themselves in a favourable light on their CV and application, but just how good are their actual developer skills? You could test their Rust-specific coding skills by giving them a competency test. This test can be in the form of completing a small project or even solving a Rust-related problem.

Take Communication Skills Into Account

While it is essential for Rust developers to excel in the technical aspects of their role, communication skills are also crucial. Not everybody understands the complexities of Rust, and developers should be able to explain technical concepts in a digestible manner. Be sure to stress the importance of communication in your job spec, and you’re more likely to attract the sort of candidate you want.

The Final Word

Rust is gaining popularity for its memory safety, versatility, and high performance. It is being used in diverse areas like web development, network programming, system programming, game development, and data science backends. Companies like Facebook, Discord, and Amazon are implementing Rust to enhance their software systems and improve security.

Hiring Rust developers requires defining job preferences, seeking Rust-specific experience, assessing coding skills, and valuing communication abilities. Embracing Rust and sourcing skilled developers can offer businesses a competitive edge in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Discover More About Rust Developer Jobs

Whether you are a highly skilled Rust developer looking for your next role or a company that wants to hire a Rust specialist, we are here to support you. Here at Understanding Recruitment, our team of specialist Rust consultants take pride in connecting top technology and software experts with their ideal jobs and helping companies recruit their dream candidates.

If you want to discover more about the work we do for our clients, you can learn all about it here. Alternatively, if you are a candidate who wants to know how our consultants can support you, be sure to visit our candidate hub.