Microsoft seeks Rust developers to rewrite core C# code (www.theregister.com)
from canpolat@programming.dev to rust@programming.dev on 05 Feb 2024 06:40
https://programming.dev/post/9573135

#rust

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autotldr@lemmings.world on 05 Feb 2024 06:40 next collapse

This is the best summary I could come up with:


Although headcount at Microsoft might currently be down – by two percent compared to the previous year – recruitment persists at the Windows giant.

The Substrate does the heavy lifting behind the scenes for Microsoft’s cloud services, making a rewrite into Rust quite a statement of intent.

Microsoft said: “We are forming a new team focused on enabling the adoption of the Rust programming language as the foundation to modernizing global scale platform services, and beyond.”

Considering the growing enthusiasm for memory-safe programming, something Rust delivers with far less effort than the likes of C++, Microsoft’s move is unsurprising.

Memorably, a Microsoft engineer had to rapidly backpedal issue a clarification after proudly proclaiming that Office 365 was being ported to JavaScript.

In this instance, while Microsoft remains committed to C#, at least in public, its actions over the last few years and the job posting are indications that the company is keeping its options open.


The original article contains 357 words, the summary contains 155 words. Saved 57%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!

quaternaut@lemmy.world on 05 Feb 2024 06:44 next collapse

Seems interesting. Wonder whether this is going to further spark Rust adoption in the enterprise.

echo64@lemmy.world on 05 Feb 2024 09:28 next collapse

It’s more likely that they see rust as a good successor to their legacy c++ code. Microsoft has always been heavily invested in C++ after all.

They don’t want to sell rust. It’s not a money maker for them.

magic_lobster_party@kbin.social on 05 Feb 2024 11:24 next collapse

Hopefully they won’t come up with some kind of a Rust/CLI, a version of Rust with GC support.

bluGill@kbin.social on 05 Feb 2024 13:48 collapse

The article is clear that this is about C# not C++. Is the romance for managed languages wearing off - I wonder what issues they are seeing.

Microsoft is big in C++, but they are also pushing C++ to be a lot safer. Modern C++ isn't as safe as rust, but it is still much safer than C or C++98.

notriddle@programming.dev on 10 Feb 2024 21:57 collapse

Tail latency and memory usage?

It’s hard for me to come up with any other big advantages that Rust has and C# couldn’t easily lift.

technom@programming.dev on 07 Feb 2024 10:46 collapse

I think enterprises are the early adopters and proponents of Rust. They seem so stoked about the memory safety aspect.

bluGill@kbin.social on 11 Feb 2024 02:17 collapse

As a C++ developer memory safety catches my attention. I keep rejecting code reviews - in 2024! - because of naked new. Since experience proves I can't get people to use the memory safety modern C++ offers I need to force the issue.

unfortunaty rust has other choices that don't play well with our existing C++ so it will be a long road.

autokludge@programming.dev on 05 Feb 2024 10:22 collapse

re-implementation of existing global scale C# based services to Rust.

Rusty azure serverless functions?

TehPers@beehaw.org on 05 Feb 2024 10:40 collapse

Support for Rust on Azure Functions would be awesome. Custom handlers have a lot of limitations, are poorly documented, and are difficult to use. Having Rust be treated a first-class language would make it so much easier to write performant Function Apps in a language that isn’t C#.