I don't quite get the distinction being drawn. Your C89 code will build on the C2x compiler in Arch and the C11 compiler in Debian stable N-1. Your C17 code w

I don't quite get the distinction being drawn. Your C89 code will build on the C2x compiler in Arch and the C11 compiler in Debian stable N-1. Your C17 code will not build on the C11 compiler in Debian Stable N-1 but will in the C2x compiler in Arch. Your Rust 1.0 code will build on the Rust 1.67 compiler in Arch and the Rust 1.41 compiler in Debian Stable N-1. Your Rust 2021 code will not build on the Rust 1.41 compiler in Debian Stable N-1 but will in the Rust 1.67 compiler in Arch. I don't consider support for vintage platforms a requirement for a language being used in 2023. EDIT: Since you've edited in this quote > Last I asked anyone writing rust "for fun" - the answer I got was "latest compiler/features/shiny or GTFO", so rust 1.0 will likely get you LESS free labour from randoms online than C++ would Yes. This is true. But I don't exactly see maintainers lining up for your hypothetical C89 example either.