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I would be interested in knowing how they accomplish such a huge undertaking given the fact Rust seems [1] to be a language in constant evolution right now. Do

by doe88 13y ago

I would be interested in knowing how they accomplish such a huge undertaking given the fact Rust seems [1] to be a language in constant evolution right now. Do they target a fixed subset of Rust (is it even possible) or do they make continual updates to their code? (disclaimer I know nothing about Rust other than having read some of the previous posts linked from HN) [1] as others HN readers have commented in related threads about Rust

azakai 13y ago
> Do they target a fixed subset of Rust (is it even possible) or do they make continual updates to their code? Updates when necessary. As the language gets more stable, that gets easier.
Cowen 13y ago
Servo right now is more of a Rust reference project than a serious engine. They use the most up-to-date features of Rust and don't worry about having to rewrite the code with the next version because they know they're working with a somewhat unstable language spec. The real value of Servo right now isn't really as a browser engine, but instead its value as the largest software project currently written in Rust. When you're creating a programming language, you always want to know what it will be like to build large projects in that language, and that's exactly the experience being gained right now with Servo.
- tbe 13y ago
  Knowing what it's like to write an HTML rendering engine in Rust is especially useful since the purpose of this language in the first place is to write the next generation Mozilla engine.
bjz_ 13y ago
I believe Servo uses a particular version of Rust for 1-2 weeks, then updates to the new version. But somebody closer to the project would have to confirm that. Servo is extremely important to the language's development because it is such a huge undertaking. Along with the self-hosting compiler, it allows the core devs to get invaluable feedback on how their language is performing practically.
- doe88 13y ago
  Thanks for your replies guys. I think it's interesting to develop a massive piece of software at the same time than its language it must certainly contribute quick valuable feedbacks to the language's designers based this concrete application. Added to the fact that Rust is now developed in Rust!
  - bjz_ 13y ago
    > Added to the fact that Rust is now developed in Rust! It has been for a good long while! :)
  - saidajigumi 13y ago
    That same principle really applies to just about all major software projects: using high-quality feedback loops as early as possible can be a huge win. Whether that's having (carefully selected) pre-alpha customers for your product or in Rust's case, co-development with a serious target application (i.e. Servo).
    - teraflop 13y ago
      Servo's name is fitting, then.
  - jacques_chester 13y ago
    The historical parallel is C and Unix.
cpeterso 13y ago
It helps that many of the Rust developers are also working on Servo. :)

by doe88 13y ago

azakai 13y ago

> Do they target a fixed subset of Rust (is it even possible) or do they make continual updates to their code? Updates when necessary. As the language gets more stable, that gets easier.

Cowen 13y ago

Servo right now is more of a Rust reference project than a serious engine. They use the most up-to-date features of Rust and don't worry about having to rewrite the code with the next version because they know they're working with a somewhat unstable language spec. The real value of Servo right now isn't really as a browser engine, but instead its value as the largest software project currently written in Rust. When you're creating a programming language, you always want to know what it will be like to build large projects in that language, and that's exactly the experience being gained right now with Servo.

tbe 13y ago
Knowing what it's like to write an HTML rendering engine in Rust is especially useful since the purpose of this language in the first place is to write the next generation Mozilla engine.

bjz_ 13y ago

I believe Servo uses a particular version of Rust for 1-2 weeks, then updates to the new version. But somebody closer to the project would have to confirm that. Servo is extremely important to the language's development because it is such a huge undertaking. Along with the self-hosting compiler, it allows the core devs to get invaluable feedback on how their language is performing practically.

doe88 13y ago
Thanks for your replies guys. I think it's interesting to develop a massive piece of software at the same time than its language it must certainly contribute quick valuable feedbacks to the language's designers based this concrete application. Added to the fact that Rust is now developed in Rust!
- bjz_ 13y ago
  > Added to the fact that Rust is now developed in Rust! It has been for a good long while! :)
- saidajigumi 13y ago
  That same principle really applies to just about all major software projects: using high-quality feedback loops as early as possible can be a huge win. Whether that's having (carefully selected) pre-alpha customers for your product or in Rust's case, co-development with a serious target application (i.e. Servo).
  - teraflop 13y ago
    Servo's name is fitting, then.
- jacques_chester 13y ago
  The historical parallel is C and Unix.

cpeterso 13y ago

It helps that many of the Rust developers are also working on Servo. :)