Rust 1.97.0, the new version of the programming language, is out

A new version of the Rust programming language — 1.97.0 — has been released.

Key changes

One of the central new features is the use of a new symbol mangling scheme by default. Symbol mangling determines how the names of functions and variables are turned into identifiers at the level of compiled code, and the switch to the new scheme may affect tools that work with binary files.

Cargo, Rust's package manager and build system, has gained support for refusing to build when warnings are present (deny warnings). This capability lets developers configure stricter code-quality control, halting the build process if the compiler emits any warnings.

The developers have also abandoned the practice of hiding the linker's output after a successful build. Previously this message was suppressed if the build finished without errors — now users will see the linker's full output regardless of the result.

What the changes mean

The changes listed above mainly affect developers' workflows and Rust's integration with build tooling. The new symbol mangling scheme may require updates to third-party utilities that analyze compiled code, while Cargo's expanded warning-control capabilities make it easier to maintain strict quality standards in projects.

Showing the linker's output on a successful build increases the transparency of the compilation process, letting developers spot potential problems more quickly — problems that previously could have gone unnoticed.

Source: LWN.net