Rust Setup

Rust uses a toolchain installer called Rustup, which simplifies managing Rust versions and associated tools.

Why Use Rustup for Installation?

Rustup is the recommended method to install Rust because it:

1. Manages multiple Rust versions.
2. Ensures you always have the latest stable version.
3. Provides additional tools like Cargo (Rust’s package manager) out of the box.

Prerequisites

Before you start, ensure your system meets these basic requirements:

• Operating System: Linux, macOS, or Windows.
• Terminal Access: A command-line interface like Terminal, Command Prompt or PowerShell.

Installing Rust

1. Install Rust on Linux/macOS

Run the following command in your terminal:

curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh

What this does:

• Downloads the Rustup installer.
• Installs the latest stable version of Rust.

After installation, restart your terminal to apply changes.

2. Install Rust on Windows

• Download the Rustup installer from rust-lang.org.
• Run the installer and follow the instructions.
• Restart your system if prompted.

3. Verify Installation

To confirm Rust is installed, run:

rustc --version

This command shows the installed Rust version.

Understanding Cargo

Cargo is Rust’s built-in package manager and build system. It simplifies tasks like:

1. Managing dependencies.
2. Building projects.
3. Running programs.

Cargo is installed automatically with Rust.

Setting Up Your First Rust Project

Step 1: Create a New Project

Use Cargo to create a new project directory:

cargo new hello_rust
cd hello_rust

Directory Structure:

hello_rust/
├── Cargo.toml  # Project configuration file
└── src/
    └── main.rs  # Main program file

Step 2: Write Your Code

Open the main.rs file in a code editor and write:

fn main() {
    println!("Hello, Rust!");
}

Step 3: Build and Run

To compile and run your program, use:

cargo run

Output:

Hello, Rust!

Configuring Rust

1. Updating Rust

Keep Rust updated by running:

rustup update

2. Installing Additional Tools

You can add components like Clippy (a linter) or Rustfmt (a formatter) for better development experience:

rustup component add clippy
rustup component add rustfmt

3. Managing Versions

To install a specific version of Rust:

rustup install <version>

To switch between versions:

rustup default <version>

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Command Not Found:
   If rustc or cargo is not recognized, ensure Rust’s binary path is added to your system’s PATH environment variable.
2. Permission Errors:
   Run the installer as an administrator or use sudo on Linux/macOS.
3. Proxy Issues:
   If behind a proxy, configure your network settings before running the installation command.