Getting Started with Rust

Introduction

Rust is a systems programming language that combines performance with safety and modern development features. This guide will help you get started with Rust development.

Installation

First, let's install Rust using rustup:

curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh

Verifying Installation

After installation, verify that Rust is properly installed:

rustc --version
cargo --version

Setting Up Your Development Environment

Recommended Tools

1. IDE/Editor
   • VSCode with rust-analyzer
   • IntelliJ with Rust plugin
   • Sublime Text with Rust Enhanced

Essential Extensions

For VSCode users, install these extensions:

• rust-analyzer
• CodeLLDB
• crates
• Better TOML

Your First Rust Program

Create a new project:

cargo new hello_rust
cd hello_rust

Here's your first Rust program:

fn main() {
    println!("Hello, Rust!");
}

Running Your Program

Execute your program using:

cargo run

Common Concepts

Variables

let x = 5; // immutable by default
let mut y = 10; // mutable variable

Functions

fn greet(name: &str) -> String {
    format!("Hello, {}!", name)
}

Next Steps

1. Explore the Rust Book
2. Join the Rust community
3. Practice with small projects
4. Contribute to open source

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Forgetting to make variables mutable
• Fighting with the borrow checker
• Not using cargo for dependency management

Resources for Learning

• The Rust Book
• Rust by Example
• Rustlings

Conclusion

Getting started with Rust might seem challenging at first, but with proper guidance and practice, you'll be writing efficient and safe code in no time.

What's Next

Stay tuned for the next article in this series where we'll dive into Rust's ownership system and borrowing rules.