Torvalds confirms Rust is coming to the new version of Linux

The next Linux release should support the Rust programming language

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Linux creator Linus Torvalds has reportedly committed to bringing Rust to theoperating system.

In an email received byZDNet, Torvalds said that the programming language will make it to version 6.1 of the Linux OS “unless something odd happens”.

This isn’t the first time that Linux has been rumoured to adopt Rust, with some saying that it wouldmake it to version 5.20. This time, Torvalds’ commitment seems to be greater, however he does stress that it will “just have the core infrastructure (i.e. no serious use case yet)”.

Rust for Linux

Initial concerns were reportedly raised about the implementation of Rust with regards to the requirement of non-standard extensions, however Torvalds explained  that Linux has “been using exceptions to standard C for decades”, which suggests that the company is already prepared to adapt.

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Linux 6.0is the project’s current offering, which has been available for testing since August 2022, however details of the next release are already being uncovered, including the ability for the OS totell you if your CPU is faulty.

According to a CircleCI report on themost popular coding languages, Rust just made it into 25th place in 2021 after dropping out of the top 25 in the year prior. Even so, Rust is favored for its strong performance, and is supported byGooglefor developing its Android OS (which itself is a hugely popularLinux distro).

In a post onGoogle’s Security Blogback in April 2021, Android team member Wedson Almeida Filho said that Rust was ready to join C “as a practical language for implementing the kernel.” Filho continues to explain that Rust “can help [the team] reduce the number of potential bugs and security vulnerabilities in privileged code while playing nicely with the core kernel and preserving its performance characteristics.”

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With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!

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