Linus Torvalds: Rust in the Linux kernel is ‘real soon’
The next version of the Linux kernel may come bundled with support for the Rust programming language, producer Linus Torvalds has indicated.
At the Linux Foundation’s Open Source Summit, Torvalds told the audience that support for Rust in the Linux kernel could come with version 5.20 of the operating system.
The wider Linux community is so excited about the prospect, with audience members giving Torvalds a round of loud applause at the mention of Rust, VentureBeat reported earlier this week.
Ever since the programming language was added as a second language to the kernel code in December last year, developers (opens in new tab) Eagerly waiting for the moment of real merger.
still an experiment
“Many people actually think that we avoid some degree of risk,” Torvalds said. “So when it comes to Rust, it’s been discussed for several years now. It’s getting to the point where real now soon, we’ll actually be merging it into the kernel. Maybe the next release.” “
But Torvalds still holds his options, saying that if things go south, the support may not last long.
“Before the Rust guys get all excited, for me, this is a trial run, right? We want Rust’s memory security. So there are real technical reasons why having a Rust kernel is a good idea,” he said.
“But at the same time, it’s one of those things: We tried C++ 25-plus years ago and we tried it for two weeks, and then we stopped trying it. So for me, Rust is a way to try something new.” There is a way. And hopefully, it works, and people are working on it a lot, so I really hope it works because otherwise they’ll be upset.”
This is not the first time Torvalds has mentioned Rust in this context. In April, he said it could be merged with Linux Kernel 5.14. We are currently on 5.18.6.
Despite facing an uphill battle against Windows and macOS, Linux remains the world’s most popular alternative operating system, powering many IoT devices and data center servers with Linux laptops. (opens in new tab) We are also experiencing healthy demand.
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