Rust is a programming language released in 2018 that has gathered a community of developers. Though it is a new language, many resources have been created to help people of all skill levels learn to use Rust.
Designed to be faster than other languages, Rust has no garbage collector and is easily integrated with its fellow programming languages. It also contains multi-editor support and autoformats as well. Some companies that utilize Rust include Dropbox and Firefox.
The developers of Rust claim there’s an easy learning curve to getting accustomed to its features. Nonetheless, here are 17 helpful resources for understanding how to use it:
- “The Rust Programming Language” by Steve Klabnik and Carol Nichols (online book)
- “Rust by Example” (online book)
- “Easy Rust” (online book)
- Tour of Rust (interactive tutorial)
- Introduction to Rust (article)
- A half-hour to learn Rust (article)
- A Gentle Introduction to Rust (online book)
- Rust Crash Course (video)
- Crust of Rust (video)
- Easy Rust (video)
- Rustlings (online forum)
- Exercism (online course)
- New Rustacean (website)
- Rust Playground (website for coding practice)
- Rust Cheat Sheet (website)
Is there a benefit to learning Rust?
Most developers would choose a programming language that has been in the industry longer. Those tend to have a larger, more active community of developers. However, there are benefits to working with a newer language like Rust. Experienced developers specifically can help make the language more widespread by using and improving it. While these types of languages have smaller learning curves than other languages, developers just starting out may struggle to fix issues they come across. Smaller communities typically accompany languages like Rust since developers are less likely to take the time to fix those issues. Veteran programming languages contain developers who have devoted the effort and time to improve them. Nonetheless, just because a community is small doesn’t mean the language isn’t worth learning.
Rust is a programming language that’s both quick and easy to learn. These are huge benefits for any developer who is willing to take a chance on it. Issues may or may not arise, but a developer should prepare for that possibility.
Not All Resources are Good
While the resources on this list are good to help developers break into learning Rust, there could be better ones out there. For a programming language as young as Rust, access to these means people are beginning to take notice of its potential. Each resource should be explored to some degree. The learning curves of each developer vary and may even surprise the developers themselves. For example, if reading books was something a developer frequently resorted to but a video on learning a new language helped them more, the person may change what resources they used. How resources explain an unfamiliar topic plays a large part in how the information in that resource is processed.
