Ask HN: Rust in Safety Critical Software?

[matt3210]

I’ve seen a few space startups using rust. How can we justify using a language (in safety critical software) with no standard and no standards compliant compiler? Is the compiler tested? If so, what is it tested against? I get the feeling that it’s a hobby language that became a fad without any serious support. Who decides how to change the language and how it evolves?

[kognate]

I think the governance page for rust will answer some of your questions:

https://www.rust-lang.org/governance

Ferrous Systems is building a qualified rust (ISO 26262 and IEC 61508 qualified version of the existing open-source compiler)

https://ferrous-systems.com/ferrocene/

[matt3210 → kognate]

I’ve heard of ferrous but is it really ready for using on large space projects?

[wryoak]

This sounds like the complaints managers level against open source software more generally. I assume you get to decide how it evolves, especially if there is no standard. Not that this is a unique model among PLs.