Rust vs C++Which one to Choose?
At first lets introduce the Rust and C++
What is C++?
C++ is an “old-school” object-orient programming language developed by Bjarne Stroustrup in 1985. It improved the conception of the C language. Becoming a so-called “C with Classes”, which was a kind of revolutionary solution several decades ago.
C++ was designed as a really powerful system programming instrument: literally. The majority of the Microsoft products were developed using different editions of Visual C++ (or simply C++), including the “epic” software packages, such as Windows 95, 98, ME, 200 and XP.
Since it’s an object-oriented programming language, C++ provides a determined code structure. Enables reusability of code modules, and is also praise for fast performance. Moreover, it’s a multi-purpose language meaning you can use it to build a very wide range of products from resource-constrained software and basic graphical user interface applications to various sophisticated 3D visuals, desktop games, and powerful business packages. С++ is value by developers for its wide capabilities as well as efficiency, and flexibility.
What is Rust?
Rust is a system-level programming language, developed by Mozilla in 2010. Which is aim at achieving higher performance and better safety levels in comparison to C++. Specifically, it’s design to cope with certain issues that C++ has been never good with. Such as memory-related inefficiencies and concurrent programming. In terms of syntax, Rust is pretty close to C++, but it appeared to be more “loveable. (In fact, it was named the “most loved language” for five years in a row) meaning it’s more convenient and versatile than others, so a great number of developers has employed it for their projects instead of C++.
It was use to develop the Mozilla Firefox browser. And ensures a safer way of memory management without using garbage collection methods. It’s considered a low-level language as it provides detail control possibilities, especially manual memory management. Also, Rust produces the smallest binary possible and compiles rapidly, with minimum overhead.
The reason of Comparing Them?
Owing to a similar syntax and better approaches to handling memory and errors, Rust is nowadays considered an alternative to C++, and the developer community members are attentively considering the arguments pro or against shifting from C++ to Rust or backward. Both languages have certain competitive fields like Web, Game, and UI development. Before you finally decide on which of two languages to adapt for your latest project(s), let’s consider some Rust vs. C++ comparison factors and highlights.
So lets Compare the Rust and C++ programming in diffrent fields.
Rust vs. C++
- Quality and speed of coding
- Performance
- Extensibility
- Features
- Cost of development
Quality and speed of coding
C++ is a dynamically-typed language, so there is a lack of measures to prevent code errors and spot the problems prior to compiling the whole program. Rust is known as a statically-type language with many additional improvements. And that’s why its process of validating the code is much more rigorous than C++ has. Rust offers a highly attentive attitude towards code quality/security, making it one of Rust’s major advantages over C++ and the reason many programmers opt for it.
Many devs writing their code in Rust say that the programming process is definitely more comfortable owing to elaborated semantics. And a well-working system taking care of undesired behavior prevention. In C++, it’s not so easy to avoid undefined behavior, as this language sacrifices such features to speed of working. Nevertheless, coding in Rust, as well as C++, can be tricky for beginners as both are complex system-level languages that let you learn and control the underlying computational process behind the scenes.
Conclusion: Rust gets a point here as it allows easier coding.
Performance
Rust allows reaching a higher-level performance in comparison to C++ because of its better safety standards that decrease the development process cost. For example, to ensure faster operation, C++ does not have automatic garbage collection tools. Which might contribute to multiple runtime errors. At the same time, one of the key differences making Rust safer than C++ is that the code flaws can result in just compilation errors instead of run-time errors. On the other hand, C++ can reach its optimal performance and produce extremely fast applications. With less time spent for code compilation and execution thanks to its huge standard codebase (STL-library) that can cover many shortages when used by an experienced C++ engineer.
When you carry out some efficient system programming, you should keep memory under low-level control to avoid costly memory leaks. In C++, manual memory management and spotting memory errors can be too intricate or requiring tedious manual efforts increasing the overall cost of development (however. That can be resolve with the help of certain tools). Rust is designed to minimize such issues: with its ownership analysis method, compile-time memory checks, and no “stop-the-world” garbage collectors. Rust processes memory issues and examines the viability of code at compile time instead of runtime.
Extensibility
Being a heavily use language for decades, C++ enjoys much stronger support and comes with a myriad of frameworks and libraries. Rust still looks pretty immature in comparison to C++: it features a small standard library and not too many options to extend its functionality. Although Rust seriously lacks in the availability of frameworks and extensions. The good news is that the language is still evolving at a good pace and the community is quickly growing.
Conclusion: C++ is much more powerful in terms of extensibility.
Rust vs. C++: Features
Among the key features of Rust we can list the following:
- Rust is position as a system-level language with certain useful innovations. Such as error-proof detailed memory management and zero-cost abstractions that equalize the speed of a low-level code and a code using the abstractions.
- Data races prevention during compile-time: Rust ensures better concurrency management thanks to its data ownership system.
- It has no dangling pointers or null pointers.
- Rust spots “bugs” in the code even before programmers begin testing it: Rust allows you to build programs that get their code validity-tested at compile-time.
- And Rust has built-in support for multi-threading.
- Rust allows developers to switch to “unsafe code” when needed to sacrifice safety to higher performance. But its default mode is adherence to safe code. At the same time, unsafe type of code is the default way of working in C++.
- C++ key highlights include such points as:
- C++ also features zero-cost abstractions.
- If you have some issue, most likely you’ll find a ton of C++ libraries or ready-made code snippets provided by other users that have already resolved the same one.
- It is not consider entirely object-orient for several reasons (as well as Rust).
- C++ is not a memory-safe language for the sake of its performance rates.
- The leading instrument in the game development industry: there are a lot of legendary or just highly popular games created with the help of C++. The top solution for game development needs is the famous Unreal Engine.
- C++ offers Dynamic Memory Allocation: it allows pointers, so it’s possible to allocate memory dynamically.
Cost of development
It seems Rust developers can count on higher salaries in the U.S. (and worldwide too): they have $90K on average with a considerable portion of developers earning over $100K per annum. At the same time, C++ developers have a higher competition in their segment as their average salary is around $70K annually. The highest salary rates for both positions can reach as high as $120K or more in the U.S. The wages can be much lower on other continents, including Eastern European countries (Poland, Romania, Ukraine, etc).
Conclusion: Hiring a skillful Rust developer seems to be more expensive as there are fewer of them in comparison to C++ devs. Unless you’re trying to outsource the development abroad (as a solution).
Conclusion
As you can see both languages have a lot of nuances to consider. There is no one winner in this C++ vs Rust race. If you’re still not sure what language to use in your project (and it’s normal if you’re not a developer yourself), make sure to have a brief talk with our skillful software consultants.
We’ll be glad to learn more about your idea or product. And offer you a complete solution including help from our in-house C++ and Rust developers of the highest proficiency level at a reasonable price. We’ll do our best not only to select the right stack of technologies but will also help you to achieve the best compliance with the highest industry standards!
