Anton Lazarev, a Senior Software Engineer at Brave, is known for developing rust-based solutions and his customizable split keyboard project. In this discussion, he explains how Brave's privacy-first ad-blocker leverages Rust for optimal performance. He shares insights on overcoming challenges in browser constraints, parallelizing CSS parsing, and enhancing filter list capabilities. Anton also details the transition from C++ to Rust, emphasizing the benefits of memory safety and innovative development, all while exploring the future potential of Rust in browser technology.
Brave's use of Rust for their ad-blocking engine enables superior performance and safety, crucial for real-time web applications.
Anton Lazarev's journey showcases how overcoming initial challenges with Rust can lead to significant advancements in web privacy technology.
Deep dives
Building a High-Performance Ad Blocker with Rust
Brave focuses on developing a high-performance ad blocker written entirely in Rust, which serves as a core component of their web browser. The decision to use Rust stemmed from its ability to produce efficient and safe native code, which is particularly important given the constraints involved in real-time applications like ad blocking. Anton Lazarev, who works on the adblock engine, highlighted that using Rust allows for optimizations that are unattainable in languages like JavaScript, primarily due to the inherent efficiencies of compiled code. This performance advantage includes features such as CNAME uncloaking, which is essential in preventing privacy-invasive tracking, emphasizing the technological edge that Rust offers in this application.
Learning and Adapting to Rust
Anton shared his initial hesitation with Rust, stemming from early experiences that left him feeling lost amidst its complexities. However, his commitment grew as he began contributing to the development of audio plugins, realizing Rust's robust performance in real-time audio processing tasks. This journey lead him to intern at Brave, where he initially encountered ad blocking concepts that required a deep understanding of existing implementations. Through extensive research and parsing of ad block syntax, he managed to bridge his learning curve and deliver a functional ad blocking solution within his internship's timeframe.
Challenges and Triumphs in Ad Blocking Implementation
One major challenge faced during the development was the need to integrate Rust into Brave's existing C++ codebase, requiring careful design to accommodate the two languages. Anton explained the difficulties in managing filter lists, where flexibility is crucial given the varied structures of web pages, necessitating a responsive approach to both network and cosmetic filtering. Despite these hurdles, the implementation led to an effective ad blocker that not only filtered out ads but also cleaned up pages for a better user experience. The ability to employ community-driven filter lists further enhanced its capabilities, showcasing how open-source collaboration plays a significant role in refining ad blocking technology.
Future Directions for Rust in Browser Development
Looking ahead, Anton expressed enthusiasm about the possibilities of Rust in the broader context of browser technology beyond ad blocking. He noted Rust's expanding role in various components, including cryptocurrency integration and enhancing performance for features like SpeedReader, which simplifies page content for readability. The success of Rust at Brave may set the stage for more substantial integration throughout the entire browser, especially as the community continues to grow and innovate. As browser developers increasingly recognize the value of safety and performance, Anton's insights suggest that Rust could become a predominant choice in future web development projects.
Web browsers today face increasing demands for both performance and privacy. At Brave, they're tackling both challenges head-on with their Rust-based ad-blocking engine. This isn't just about blocking ads – it's about doing so with minimal performance impact while maintaining compatibility with existing filter lists and adapting to evolving web technologies.
Today we're joined by Anton Lazarev, Senior Software Engineer at Brave, to discuss how they're using Rust to build a high-performance ad-blocker, the challenges of working within browser constraints, and how they're pushing the boundaries of what's possible in modern web privacy.
About Brave
Brave is a privacy-focused web browser that blocks ads and trackers by default. It's built on top of Chromium, with additional privacy features like the ability to earn cryptocurrency by viewing privacy-respecting ads. Brave has been an early adopter of Rust, using it to build their ad-blocking engine and other core features.
About Anton Lazarev
Anton Lazarev is a Senior Software Engineer at Brave, where he works on the browser's core privacy features. In his free time, Anton enjoys working on like his fully open-source and Rust-based, customizable split keyboard.