In this enlightening discussion, Herb Sutter, chair of the ISO C++ standards committee, collaborates with Steve Klabnik, a key figure in the Rust community. They delve into the strengths and weaknesses of Rust and C++, shedding light on C++'s legacy and Rust's modern appeal. The conversation covers performance, memory safety, and error management in both languages. They also explore the historical dynamics that shape their adoption and challenge the community's perceptions, highlighting how Rust provides a safer alternative for contemporary programming tasks.
C++ remains critical for low-level system access and performance in legacy applications, such as operating systems and game engines.
Rust, designed with modern safety and concurrency features, is emerging as a robust choice for systems programming challenges today.
Both languages, C++ and Rust, emphasize zero-cost abstractions, enabling efficient coding while managing the complexities of performance without runtime penalties.
Deep dives
Use Cases for C++ and Rust
C++ is frequently utilized in environments requiring low-level system access and optimal performance, making it ideal for applications such as operating systems, game engines, and embedded systems. Its established history and compatibility with older codebases render it essential for the maintenance and expansion of legacy projects. In contrast, Rust is emerging as a preferred choice in scenarios demanding safety and concurrency, particularly in systems programming. This makes Rust suitable for modern applications that need robust memory management without the common pitfalls of garbage collection.
Strengths of Rust
Rust's design incorporates valuable insights from earlier programming languages while offering modern solutions, particularly emphasizing memory safety. Rather than simply focusing on safety, Rust effectively integrates older programming techniques into contemporary contexts, enhancing usability through features like Cargo, its package manager. The fact that Rust has come late in the programming language timeline allows it to utilize historical knowledge and adapt it efficiently for current needs. This adaptability positions Rust as a versatile language, capable of addressing both current and future programming challenges.
Advantages of C++
C++ is praised for its capability to provide granular control over system resources, a defining characteristic of systems programming languages. This level of control enables developers to implement performance-oriented designs such as custom memory allocators, allowing for optimizations that high-level languages with built-in garbage collection cannot achieve. Furthermore, C++ supports a wide range of programming paradigms, allowing developers to choose the most effective strategy for their specific needs. The flexibility to manipulate the language at a low level while ensuring high performance underlines C++’s enduring relevance in software development.
Zero-Cost Abstraction Principle
Both C++ and Rust advocate for zero-cost abstractions, where programmers can utilize high-level constructs without incurring runtime penalties. While the terminology may differ slightly between communities, the underlying concept remains the same—developers should not pay for features they do not use. This principle encourages an efficient coding paradigm, where abstraction does not compromise performance. However, discussions surrounding the implications of exceptions and error-handling indicate that even these languages struggle with the complexities of maintaining zero-cost abstractions in specific scenarios.
Learning Path for New Programmers
For newcomers to the field of systems programming, learning Rust is often recommended due to its modern design and focus on safety, which can make it more approachable than C++. The structured nature of Rust allows new learners to grasp the underlying principles of systems programming without the historical baggage attached to C++. Despite this recommendation, it is vital for aspiring developers to consider their learning styles; exposure to different languages can cultivate a broader understanding of programming concepts. Ultimately, the journey through either language equips learners with valuable skills applicable to diverse programming environments.
In software engineering, C++ is often used in areas where low-level system access and high-performance are critical, such as operating systems, game engines, and embedded systems. Its long-standing presence and compatibility with legacy code make it a go-to language for maintaining and extending older projects. Rust, while newer, is gaining traction in roles that demand safety and concurrency, particularly in systems programming.
We wanted to explore these two languages side-by-side, so we invited Herb Sutter and Steve Klabnik to join host Kevin Ball on the show. Herb works at Microsoft and chairs the ISO C++ standards committee. Steve works at Oxide Computer Company, is an alumnus of the Rust Core Team, and is the primary author of The Rust Programming Language book.
We hope you enjoy this deep dive into Rust and C++ on Software Engineering Daily.
Kevin Ball or KBall, is the vice president of engineering at Mento and an independent coach for engineers and engineering leaders. He co-founded and served as CTO for two companies, founded the San Diego JavaScript meetup, and organizes the AI inaction discussion group through Latent Space.
