This weekend, the Solbosch campus of the University of Brussels hosted the Free and Open Source Developers’ European Meeting (FOSDEM), considered the largest conference for free software and open source projects, featuring over 1000 presentations and an estimated 16,000 attendees.
Amid the conference, a controversy arose regarding one of the sponsors, Block, led by CEO Jack Dorsey, who had planned to participate in a panel discussion. However, due to protests organized by open-source developer Drew Devault against Dorsey’s participation, Dorsey ultimately canceled his appearance.
In the wake of these events, the conference included a variety of keynotes, including discussions on free AI models, Systemd, and particularly the integration of Rust into the Linux kernel. Miguel Ojeda, involved in Rust’s integration into the kernel, addressed the progress of the project and shared insights on the sentiment within the developer community regarding Rust.
Despite initial enthusiasm about Rust serving as a successor to C, many kernel developers express frustration over the slow progress of the integration. Structural challenges have made the adoption of Rust into a long-established C codebase difficult. Recent developments in kernel version 6.13 introduced much-needed interfaces for developing Linux drivers in Rust, described by Greg Kroah-Hartman as a "tipping point." Upcoming kernel version 6.14 is expected to enhance support for Rust, incorporating crucial subsystems.
However, the integration has faced hurdles, leading to lengthy discussions among developers. Notably, Wedson Almeida Filho, a co-maintainer for Rust-For-Linux, stepped down due to the challenging environment. Now, only a small core team continues this initiative, prompting concern for the project’s viability.
Despite these setbacks, overall sentiment toward Rust integration remains favorable, particularly among key figures such as Linus Torvalds and Greg Kroah-Hartman, who advocate for bringing new talent into kernel development. Additionally, the Rust community has made the kernel a primary focus, emphasizing the importance of robust support for compiling Rust within the kernel—a task that hinges on broader compatibility with established tooling like GCC.
In conclusion, while Rust’s journey into the Linux kernel has been fraught with difficulties and frustrations, there remains a consensus on its potential benefits for future development and enriching the kernel’s community.
ChicagoVPS is your gateway to unparalleled hosting solutions. Our state-of-the-art datacenters and powerful network ensures lightning-fast speeds and uninterrupted connectivity for your websites and applications. Whether you’re a startup looking for scalable resources or an enterprise in need of enterprise-grade hosting, our range of plans and customizable solutions guarantee a perfect fit. Trust in ChicagoVPS to deliver excellence, combining unmatched reliability and top-tier support.
For Inquiries or to receive a personalized quote, please reach out to us through our contact form here or email us at sales@chicagovps.net.
