When it comes to embedded systems development, languages like C and C++ have long been the go-to choices. They’re familiar, and efficient, and give developers low-level control over hardware.
But more recently, Rust has entered the conversation—especially in the context of safe, modern embedded software.
Why Rust?
Rust is a relatively new systems programming language. It began as a side project at Mozilla in 2006 and gained official sponsorship in 2009. Since then, it has seen rapid growth and adoption, particularly among developers who need high performance without sacrificing safety.
Rust is a compiled language, like C/C++, meaning it’s turned into machine code before running.
Projects in Rust can be made up of many files and compiled into one cohesive binary or library. What’s particularly interesting is that Rust’s edition system ensures compatibility between libraries written at different times.
That means code from five years ago can still work alongside new libraries that take advantage of modern features—without needing a full rewrite.
Rust and the Embedded World
So, what makes Rust useful for embedded systems?
1. Memory Safety Without Garbage Collection: Rust’s standout feature is its ownership system, which prevents data races and memory leaks at compile time.
2. Low-Level Access: You still get fine control over memory and hardware access, similar to C.
3. Interoperability: Rust supports calling C functions via extern “C” declarations. That makes it easier to integrate into existing systems or reuse legacy code.
4. Cross-Compilation via LLVM: The Rust compiler is built on LLVM, meaning it can compile to a wide range of hardware targets. If LLVM supports your architecture, Rust probably can too.
But What About Standardization?
One of the major questions around Rust, especially for safety-critical systems, is whether it’s standardized—like C or C++ eventually became.
Currently, Rust doesn’t have a traditional language specification. Its behavior is defined by its reference compiler (rustc). That’s been fine for general use, but it’s a sticking point for industries that require formal validation, like automotive or aerospace.
Recently, a German toolchain provider developed the Ferrocene compiler, designed specifically for safety-critical Rust use cases.
As part of that effort, they created a subset language specification and validated their compiler against it. This represents a major step toward formalizing Rust, and the spec itself has been donated to the Rust Foundation, laying the groundwork for a full standard in the future.
Rust Is Still Evolving—And That’s a Good Thing
Like many languages before it, Rust is growing organically. You can’t really design a programming language completely from scratch in one go — it has to evolve through real-world use before it can be formalized.
That iterative development approach is exactly how languages like C evolved. First came the compilers, then usage, and eventually standardization.
Rust is now at the brink of that third step, and it’s exciting to see it entering domains once thought to be the sole domain of C.
What’s Next?
The future of Rust in embedded looks promising. With growing industry support, more certified toolchains, and increasing awareness of its benefits, it’s quickly becoming a serious alternative for embedded developers who care about safety, maintainability, and modern programming practices.
If you’re just starting to explore Rust, now’s a great time to experiment—and if you’re working in regulated industries, keep an eye on the developments around Rust standardization and tools like Ferrocene.
