rust

Rust - GO VOLS!

This directory contains a simple Rust program that prints "GO VOLS!" to the console.

What is Rust?

Rust is a systems programming language that focuses on safety, speed, and concurrency. It's used for developing operating systems, web browsers, and other performance-critical software.

Requirements

• Rust programming language
• Cargo (Rust's package manager and build tool, included with Rust)

Installing Rust and Cargo

Visit https://www.rust-lang.org/tools/install and follow the instructions for your operating system.

After installation, open a new terminal or command prompt and verify the installation by typing:

rustc --version
cargo --version

Project Structure

rust/
├── Cargo.toml  # Project configuration file
├── src/
│   └── go_vols.rs # Our Rust program
└── target/  # Directory for compiled outputs

Running the Program

1. Open a terminal or command prompt
2. Navigate to the rust/src/ directory within the go-vols project:

   cd /path/to/go-vols/rust/src/
   

3. Build and run the program:

   cargo run
   

You should see "GO VOLS!" printed to the console.

Understanding the Code

Here's what the src/go_vols.rs file contains:

fn main() {
    println!("GO VOLS!");
}

• fn main() defines the main function, the entry point of our program.
• println!("GO VOLS!"); is a macro that prints "GO VOLS!" to the console.

The Cargo.toml file is the configuration file for our Rust project. It specifies the project name, version, and the path to our binary file.

Rust Edition

In the Cargo.toml file, you'll see a line edition = "2021". This specifies the Rust edition being used:

• Editions allow Rust to evolve while maintaining backwards compatibility.
• The 2021 edition is the latest stable edition as of this project's creation.
• It includes various language improvements and new features.
• For our simple program, the edition doesn't significantly impact the code.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues:

1. Make sure you're in the correct directory when running cargo run
2. Ensure that Rust and Cargo are correctly installed and added to your PATH
3. Check that the src/go_vols.rs file exists and contains the correct code
4. Verify that the Cargo.toml file correctly specifies the path to go_vols.rs

If you're still having trouble, try running cargo clean followed by cargo build to rebuild the project from scratch.

Next Steps

Now that you've run your first Rust program, you might want to:

1. Modify the message it prints
2. Learn about Rust variables and data types
3. Explore Rust functions and control structures

Rust has a steeper learning curve than some other languages, but it offers powerful features and guarantees. Don't be discouraged if it seems complex at first – practice and persistence are key!