Linux people doing Linux things, it seems.
Is there an email thread where c and rust Linux kernel devs actually discuss what’s about? Because so far I see some Linux drama and I have no slightest clue what’s about
Rust guys want to make the kernel safer, more expressive, and easier to maintain. To do that they need to know how the kenrnel talks between its parts to ensure they are creating matching behavior. The C guys don’t really care about the Rust guys and say that they can’t be bothered to guarantee interoperability because they like to change how things work on the C side to make things better in the C code.
Adding rust to a massive mature C project that targets lots of architectures and has many contributors is a difficult process. If it succeeds it is going to take a lot more time and patience.
IMO this has been very publicized in certain circles, and will have the effect of martyrdom. More people are going to be interested in doing this.
The rust community is its own worst enemy. The political infighting and constant compulsion to shit on other languages is a turn off to many, and there are plenty of applications where memory safety is not the highest priority.
In this case, the issue is really the C kernel devs, not the Rust devs. Some are not open to new ideas at all. Take a look at the conference video he linked to for example: https://youtu.be/WiPp9YEBV0Q?t=1529. He clearly states that he’s not trying to make the C devs learn Rust.
My comment was speaking in a general context.
I’ve seen the video and I agree with Ted. Anyone with experience understands creep, and although Wedson denies it it’s exactly where they’re headed. Ted and others are right to voice these concerns and attempt to set very clear expectations for the rust developers.
They took on the task knowing it was experimental, would be difficult, and that they would be second class citizens - you don’t get to agree to the terms and then complain about them later.
