Practical System Programming for Rust Developers

Explore various Rust features, data structures, libraries, and toolchain to build modern systems software with the help of hands-on examples

Key Features

• Learn techniques to design and build system tools and utilities in Rust
• Explore the different features of the Rust standard library for interacting with operating systems
• Gain an in-depth understanding of the Rust programming language by writing low-level software

Book Description

Modern programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, and Java have become increasingly accepted for application-level programming, but for systems programming, C and C++ are predominantly used due to the need for low-level control of system resources. Rust promises the best of both worlds: the type safety of Java, and the speed and expressiveness of C++, while also including memory safety without a garbage collector. This book is a comprehensive introduction if you're new to Rust and systems programming and are looking to build reliable and efficient systems software without C or C++.

The book takes a unique approach by starting each topic with Linux kernel concepts and APIs relevant to that topic. You'll also explore how system resources can be controlled from Rust. As you progress, you'll delve into advanced topics. You'll cover network programming, focusing on aspects such as working with low-level network primitives and protocols in Rust, before going on to learn how to use and compile Rust with WebAssembly. Later chapters will take you through practical code examples and projects to help you build on your knowledge.

By the end of this Rust programming book, you will be equipped with practical skills to write systems software tools, libraries, and utilities in Rust.

What you will learn

• Gain a solid understanding of how system resources are managed
• Use Rust confidently to control and operate a Linux or Unix system
• Understand how to write a host of practical systems software tools and utilities
• Delve into memory management with the memory layout of Rust programs
• Discover the capabilities and features of the Rust Standard Library
• Explore external crates to improve productivity for future Rust programming projects

Who this book is for

This book is for developers with basic knowledge of Rust but little to no knowledge or experience of systems programming. System programmers who want to consider Rust as an alternative to C or C++ will also find this book useful.

Table of Contents

1. Tools of the Trade - Rust Toolchains and Project Structures
2. A Tour of the Rust Programming Language
3. Introduction to Rust Standard Library
4. Managing Environment, Command Line, and Time
5. Memory Management in Rust
6. Working with Files and Directories in Rust
7. Implementing Terminal I/O in Rust
8. Working with Processes and Signals
9. Managing Concurrency
10. Working with Device I/O
11. Learning Network Programming
12. Writing Unsafe Rust and FFI

Prabhu Eshwarla has been shipping high-quality, business-critical software to large enterprises and running IT operations for over 25 years. He is also a passionate teacher of complex technologies.

Prabhu has worked with Hewlett Packard and has deep experience in software engineering, engineering management, and IT operations.

Prabhu is passionate about Rust and blockchain and specializes in distributed systems. He considers coding to be a creative craft, and an excellent tool to create new digital worlds (and experiences) sustained through rigorous software engineering.