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0 pointstialaramex2y ago0 comments

> ABI stability implies API stability

Yes, but not vice versa. Rust's language and standard library for example promises API stability, but not ABI stability. Since it doesn't promise ABI stability, the actual implementation can be radically different so long as the API you were promised still works and nobody has to go around "changing every single project" because there aren't any changes, for source code nothing changed.

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bluejekyll2y ago

I believe Rust guarantees ABI stability through the C FFI, what it doesn’t guarantee is a Rust <—> Rust stable ABI (unless you use Rust <-> C <-> Rust).

TazeTSchnitzel2y ago

Rust basically doesn't have dynamic linking though and is relying on underlying platforms having stable ABIs.

pjmlp2y ago

It does have dynamic linking, --crate-type=dylib.

TazeTSchnitzel2y ago

Sure, but the ABI isn't stable and you're expected to recompile all your dependencies in one go. You can make a C-style ABI for your crate but that's not very common.

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0 pointstialaramex2y ago0 comments

> ABI stability implies API stability

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bluejekyll2y ago

I believe Rust guarantees ABI stability through the C FFI, what it doesn’t guarantee is a Rust <—> Rust stable ABI (unless you use Rust <-> C <-> Rust).

TazeTSchnitzel2y ago

Rust basically doesn't have dynamic linking though and is relying on underlying platforms having stable ABIs.

pjmlp2y ago

It does have dynamic linking, --crate-type=dylib.

TazeTSchnitzel2y ago

Sure, but the ABI isn't stable and you're expected to recompile all your dependencies in one go. You can make a C-style ABI for your crate but that's not very common.

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