Rust Achieves Record High at 13th Spot in Tiobe Index: Fast and Memory-Safe Programming Language Rises
Rust has made a notable leap in the Tiobe index of programming language popularity, reaching its highest position ever at 13th place in the latest monthly update. This advancement marks a significant improvement from its previous highest ranking of 17th, and there is anticipation that Rust may break into the top 10 in future editions.
The climb in Rust’s ranking is attributed to several factors. A key driver behind this rise was a February 2024 report from the US White House, which recommended Rust over C/C++ due to its safety benefits. This endorsement has provided a substantial boost to Rust’s visibility and credibility in the programming community. Tiobe CEO Paul Jansen noted, “Rust is finally moving up. After the tailwind of the US government, which recently announced to recommend moving from C/C++ to Rust for security reasons, things are going fast for Rust.”
In addition to the governmental recommendation, Rust’s growing community and ecosystem support have played crucial roles in its rise. The language’s popularity has been fueled by an expanding number of third-party libraries and tools, which enhance its functionality and usability. Jansen further highlighted that “the community is growing, including the number of third-party libraries and tools,” indicating a robust and supportive environment for Rust’s development.
Rust’s appeal lies in its performance and safety features. It is known for being fast and memory-safe, without the overhead of a runtime or garbage collector. These attributes make Rust a strong candidate for performance-critical services, embedded systems, and scenarios requiring integration with other languages. This blend of performance and safety has contributed to its increasing adoption.
Despite Rust’s rise, C++ continues to maintain a strong position in the Tiobe index. C++ rose to second place in June 2024, demonstrating that it remains a dominant force in the programming world. The enduring popularity of C++ highlights its continued relevance and performance capabilities, even in the face of emerging alternatives like Rust.
Looking ahead, Rust’s trajectory suggests it is well-positioned for further growth. With the backing of significant institutional recommendations and a vibrant, expanding ecosystem, Rust is preparing itself to potentially secure a top 10 spot in the Tiobe index in the near future. This ongoing momentum underscores Rust’s growing influence and its increasing importance in the programming landscape.