WHY RUST CANNOT REPLACE C++, BUT QUITE THE CONTRARY (2024)

Modern C++ Features Reducing Cognitive Burden

Smart Pointers
Smart pointers (std::unique_ptr, std::shared_ptr along with utility functions like std::make_shared ) automate memory management, significantly reducing the risk of memory leaks and dangling pointers.
Generic Templates
Modern C++’s advanced template features, including template metaprogramming, allow for more expressive and reusable code, reducing redundancy.
RAII for Concurrency
C++ has enhanced its concurrency toolkit with RAII-based mechanisms (like std::lock_guard and std::unique_lock), simplifying resource management in multithreaded environments.
Lambda Expressions and Auto Keyword
Features like lambda expressions and the auto keyword make C++ code more concise and readable, reducing cognitive load.

Impact on Rust’s Critiques

These advancements in C++ address many of the criticisms that Rust aims to solve, particularly regarding safety and memory management.
With these features, C++ offers a level of safety that is much closer to Rust, while still providing the flexibility and performance it’s known for.

The argument that Rust’s strict safety model is essential may appear less compelling when modern C++ practices are correctly followed, which brings less cognitive load compared to Rust’s often convoluted, overengineered, and highly verbose borrowing and ownership rules.

So, what remains useful in Rust? Its functional flavor, type system, and error-checking mechanisms, which resemble Haskell’s monads like Maybe and Either, stand out, but for that I have already the best version:Haskell itself. However, for the most part, Rust may remain a niche language, not as widely adopted as C++, given that its trade-off between safety and cognitive burden seems clearly biased towards the latter.

So, thank you, Rust, for providing such valuable insights. Now, you can take your leave.

FAQs

WHY RUST CANNOT REPLACE C++, BUT QUITE THE CONTRARY? ›

WHY RUST CANNOT REPLACE C++, BUT QUITE THE CONTRARY. The evolution of C++ in its recent standards (C++11 and later) has significantly closed the gap in safety and ease of use, which are hallmark-strengths of Rust.

Get More Info Here ›

Why is Rust not killing C++? ›

Rust isn't any higher level than C++, and you still need to deal with all of the same requirements and underlying concepts and semantics in writing safe code in Rust as C++, it just forces them explicitly ahead of time and does so in an extremely clear manner, whereas C++ "enforces" them at runtime as they arise and in ...

Can Rust be used instead of C++? ›

Rust is a good choice for new development when you don't have an existing base of C++ libraries. However, that doesn't mean it will replace C++, simply because of the enormous base of libraries available in many application domains.

Read On ›

Can Rust replace C++ for game development? ›

More and more developers are choosing Rust over C++ as their go-to language for game development. There are many game engines you can use for projects in Rust. Let's take a look at five popular Rust game engines and discuss how to choose the best option for your needs.

What is the difference between C C++ and Rust? ›

Rust's syntax is similar to C++, but it offers faster speed and memory safety that doesn't use a garbage collector. Rust was initially developed for the Mozilla Firefox browser, but its efficiency and advantages attracted many C++ developers who began to use Rust instead, commonly for game development.

View Details ›

Is Rust a dying language? ›

Rust is One of the Fastest Growing Programming Languages, According to The IEEE Spectrum Development report by Tiobe Co. There are 2.8 million coders writing in Rust, and companies from Microsoft to Amazon regard it as key to their future.

Show Me More ›

Is Rust really as fast as C++? ›

When comparing, Rust performance vs C++ is often cited as being faster because of its unique components. More often than not, their speed depends on the program being developed, the compiler, and the quality of the code. Thus, if your product written in C++ performs badly, poor code may be the culprit.

Explore More ›

Why will Rust never replace C++? ›

These advancements in C++ address many of the criticisms that Rust aims to solve, particularly regarding safety and memory management. With these features, C++ offers a level of safety that is much closer to Rust, while still providing the flexibility and performance it's known for.

Is Rust losing popularity? ›

Rust is growing in popularity, but it still has some way to go. The research on Rust's growing popularity as a programming language aligns closely with similar analysis from Stack Overflow's 2023 developer survey.

Is Rust a C++ killer? ›

Rust may overtake it in popularity eventually, but it won't be anytime soon. Most people say this is because developers don't want to/can't take the time to learn a new language (this is abhorrently untrue) or Rust isn't as capable as C++ (also untrue for the vast majority of applications).

Discover More ›

Does Rust compile slower than C++? ›

In theory, both languages are the same speed. Both C++ and Rust compile down to native machine code, so code written in either language can be optimized to get the results you need.

Read On ›

Why C is still better than Rust? ›

On the other hand, Rust has a much more complex syntax, with many unique features that can be difficult for programmers to master. This complexity makes Rust more prone to errors and difficult to debug. C also offers greater control over memory management, which is critical in systems programming.

Is Rust harder then C++? ›

Rust is widely considered easier to learn than C++. C++ is notoriously difficult, with experienced and senior developers turning to it for the most part. Meanwhile, Rust is thought to have a low learning curve.

Find Out More ›

Why is C++ getting replaced by Rust while C is not? ›

Performance

Rust surges ahead in performance, owing to its robust safety measures that streamline development and bolster security. Unlike C++, which lacks automatic garbage collection, Rust's safety features convert code flaws into compile-time errors, precluding runtime disruptions.

Read The Full Story ›

Is C++ a dying language? ›

C++ is still a highly demanded programming language in 2022, with its performance, versatility, and reliability making it a just as valuable as any other programming language today. Because of how old C++ is, many wrongfully believe that it's headed towards extinction and tend to underrate its capabilities.

Will Rust make C obsolete? ›

Will Rust make C, C++ and Golang obsolete and replace them? No. Programming languages are almost never replaced.