🦀 Rust’s Growing Role in the Linux Kernel (2025 Update)
For over three decades, the Linux kernel —the foundation of most modern operating systems—has been written almost entirely in C . This choice gave developers low-level control and raw speed, but also introduced an age-old nemesis: memory safety bugs . In recent years, a new contender has entered the scene— Rust —promising the performance of C without its dangerous pitfalls. What started as an experiment has evolved into one of the most significant developments in Linux kernel history. Here’s a deep dive into how Rust is shaping the kernel in 2025 , what’s been achieved, and what lies ahead. ⚙️ From Idea to Integration Rust’s inclusion in the Linux kernel didn’t happen overnight. The idea first surfaced around 2019 , when kernel developers, led by Miguel Ojeda , began working on the Rust for Linux project—a bold initiative to bring safe systems programming into the kernel ecosystem. After years of testing and discussions, Rust support was officially merged into Linux 6.1 ...