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Linux kernel maintainers are debating whether to integrate Rust programming language into the core codebase, with some arguing that it can improve memory safety and others expressing concerns about the impact on existing codebases. The decision is likely to have significant implications for the future of Linux development.
The Linux kernel development community is debating the integration of Rust programming language into the core codebase. Kernel maintainer Christoph Hellwig expressed disinterest in maintaining a multi-language codebase, likening it to cancer. Linus Torvalds defended the process and scolded Hector Martin for grandstanding on social media about the issue, leading Martin to quit as a Linux maintainer. The Linux Foundation and Linaro have announced their support for integrating Rust into the kernel codebase, citing improved memory safety. Supporters believe Rust can help reduce bugs and improve security, while others are concerned about its impact on existing codebases and C programming skills.
The Linux kernel development community has been abuzz with recent debates over the integration of Rust programming language into the core codebase. The discussion began last month when a proposed patch to allow Rust-written device drivers to call the primarily C-based kernel's core DMA API was challenged by kernel maintainer Christoph Hellwig.
Hellwig likened maintaining a multi-language codebase to cancer, expressing his disinterest in having to take on the burden of helping maintain Rust device driver code. The ensuing argument prompted Hector Martin, then project lead of Asahi Linux, to demand that Linus Torvalds decide whether the patch would be pulled into the kernel or not.
Torvalds eventually responded by defending the Linux kernel development process and scolding Martin for grandstanding on social media about the issue. Martin later quit as a Linux maintainer and resigned from the Asahi Linux project.
Despite Hellwig's concerns, Linus Torvalds has publicly stated that he is committed to merging Rust code into the kernel, even if it means going against a maintainer's objections. Torvalds pointed out that the proposed Rust code does not touch the DMA layer at all and that his comments on social media were misinterpreted.
The Linux Foundation and Linaro have announced their support for integrating Rust into the Linux kernel codebase. They believe that Rust can help improve memory safety, which is a major concern in large-scale software development. According to Greg Kroah-Hartman, senior project developer at the Linux Foundation, the majority of bugs in the Linux kernel are due to "stupid little corner cases" in C that are absent in Rust.
Kees Cook, a kernel security engineer at Google and a long-time kernel contributor, also expressed support for integrating Rust into the kernel. He stated that writing new code in Rust is very effective and would help improve the overall maintainability of the kernel.
The debate over Rust integration has sparked discussions among developers about the benefits and challenges of using memory-safe programming languages like Rust. While some argue that Rust can help reduce bugs and improve security, others are concerned about the potential impact on existing codebases and the relevance of C programming skills in a Rust-dominated development environment.
Despite these concerns, the Linux kernel development community appears to be moving forward with integrating Rust into the kernel codebase. The decision is likely to have significant implications for the future of Linux development and will be closely watched by developers and users alike.
Related Information:
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/02/21/linux_c_rust_debate_continues/
Published: Thu Feb 20 22:41:55 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
