rustc

Rust programming language compiler

TLDR

Compile a Rust file

$ rustc [main.rs]

Compile with output name

$ rustc [main.rs] -o [program]

Compile with optimizations

$ rustc -O [main.rs]

Compile in release mode

$ rustc -C opt-level=3 [main.rs]

Compile with debugging info

$ rustc -g [main.rs]

Show warnings

$ rustc -W warnings [main.rs]

Emit assembly

$ rustc --emit=asm [main.rs]

Emit LLVM IR

$ rustc --emit=llvm-ir [main.rs]

Check without compiling

$ rustc --emit=metadata [main.rs]

Show version

$ rustc --version

rustc is the compiler for the Rust programming language. It compiles Rust source code (.rs files) into executables or libraries. The compiler performs type checking, borrow checking, and optimization.While rustc can be used directly, most Rust development uses Cargo which invokes rustc with appropriate settings. Direct rustc usage is common for simple programs, learning, or advanced build customization.rustc uses LLVM for code generation, providing excellent optimization and support for many target platforms.

PARAMETERS

-o file

Output filename.

-O

Optimize (equivalent to -C opt-level=3).

-g

Include debug information.

-C option

Codegen options.

-W lint

Set lint warning level.

-A lint

Allow lint.

-D lint

Deny lint (make it error).

--emit= type

Output type (asm, llvm-ir, llvm-bc, obj, link, metadata, dep-info, mir).

--crate-type= type

Crate type (bin, lib, rlib, dylib, cdylib, staticlib, proc-macro).

--edition= year

Rust edition (2015, 2018, 2021, 2024).

--test

Build a test harness.

--print info

Print compiler information (e.g., target-list, cfg, sysroot).

-F lint

Forbid lint (cannot be overridden).

--target= triple

Target platform.

--explain code

Explain an error code.

-L path

Add library search path.

--extern name=path

Specify external crate location.

INSTALL

sudo apt install rustc

sudo dnf install rust

sudo pacman -S rust

sudo apk add rust

sudo zypper install rust

brew install rust

nix profile install nixpkgs#rustc

CAVEATS

Direct rustc usage requires manual dependency management. Most projects should use Cargo instead. Edition differences may cause compatibility issues. Cross-compilation requires target toolchain installation.

HISTORY

rustc was developed as part of the Rust programming language project, started by Graydon Hoare at Mozilla in 2006. Rust reached version 1.0 in May 2015. The compiler was originally written in OCaml but was rewritten in Rust (self-hosted) by version 1.0. Development continues under the Rust Foundation, established in 2021.