- Rust is fun.
- No run time errors.
The Rust compiler is very thorough picking up
every error that students make, with helpful messages and suggestions.
This ensures student code doesn't crash in the middle of a game, would be
discouraging for the students and hard to fix.
- Ubiquitous.
Rust is used in many areas in industry, from desktop applications, games,
to web servers, and code running on web browsers. It is also used for writing operating
systems, Linux kernel modules, and microprocessors. Few languages have this broad scope for programming. No other language has this scope.
- Longevity.
Longevity is hard to predict, but there are indications that Rust will be used for a long time. The
C language is still popular, largely due to its speed, and its role in the Unix/Linux
kernels and operating systems. Rust is the first language to be accepted for writing Linux kernels, with speeds
comparable to C, with a broader range of applications, making it a
credible challenger to C. Similarly, Javascript is the default language to run on a browser, and Rust's ability
to compile to webassembly. which also runs on a browser, increases the longevity of Rust
- Excellent error messages.
The compiler produces helpful error messages, and often suggests the correct solution.
Children are able to work out the meaning of the messages at this level of programming.
- Familiar syntax.
Rust uses a syntax that is very similar to C at this level of programminig. This means it is easy to
learn other languages in the C group of languages, including C++, Java, Jaascript, Perl, PHP, Ruby and Typescript.
- Features.
Developers learn several languages during their career, learning new concepts as languages develop. Rust introduces features like
fat enums and powerful
macros.