Rust for Python Programmers

Class Duration

• 5 days of comprehensive training
• Structured pathway for Python developers

Target Audience

• Proficiency in Python programming
• Basic understanding of programming concepts such as variables, expressions, functions, and control flow

Training Materials

All students receive comprehensive courseware covering all topics in the course. Courseware is distributed via GitHub in the form of documentation and extensive code samples. Students practice the topics covered through challenging hands-on lab exercises.

Software Requirements

Students will need a free, personal GitHub account to access the courseware. Student will need permission to install Rust, Python, and Visual Studio Code on their computers. Also, students will need permission to install Rust Crates, Python Packages, and Visual Studio Extensions. If students are unable to configure a local environment, a cloud-based environment can be provided.

Introduction

• What is Rust?
• Rust's Philosophy and Goals
• History and motivation
• Rust vs Python
• Rust Community
• The Rust Playground

Install Rust

• Script
• macOS Homebrew
• Platform Installers

Rust Editors

• VSCode with Extensions
• Rust Rover
• Debug Rust in VSCode
• GitHub Copilot

Hello World

• Create a new Project
• Main Function
• Print to the Console
• Comments

Cargo

• What is Cargo?
• How does Cargo compare to Pip and Conda?
• Rust Crates compared to Python Packages
• Run Command
• Build Command
• Build Release Command
• Install Third-Party Crates

Popular Cargo Crates

• Serde
• Tokio
• Reqwest
• SQLx
• Anyhow

Rust and Python Differences

• Static Typing vs Dynamic Typing
• Memory Management
• Error Handling
• Sequence, Selection, and Iteration
• Structs vs Classes
• Traits vs Protocols
• Generics
• Concurrency

Scalar Types and Data

• Rust Types vs Python Types
• Constants
• Immutable Variables
• Mutable Variables

Code Logic

• If Statement
• Loop with Break
• While Loop

Functions

• Define a Function
• Call a Function
• Parameter Types
• Return Types
• Closure Functions

Modules

• Import Modules from Standard Library
• Import Modules from Third-Party Crates
• Define Custom Modules
• Import Custom Modules

Built-In Macros

• print! and println!
• format!
• vec!
• include_str! and include_bytes!
• cfg! and env!
• panic!

Memory Management

• Problems with Manual Management
• Problems with Garbage Collection
• Ownership & Borrowing
• Rust vs Python
• References
• Immutable vs Mutable
• Lifetimes
• Heap Allocation with Box and Rc
• Drop Trait

Strings

• String Slices
• String Objects
• Convert Between Slices and Strings
• Parse Number from String
• Trim String
• Print Strings with Interpolation

Tuples

• What is a Tuple?
• Heterogeneous Elements
• Access Elements
• Destructuring
• Immutable

Enums

• What is an Enum?
• Define an Enum
• Using Enums
• Enum Variants
• Enum Methods
• Enums and Pattern Matching
• Result Enum
• Option Enum
• Enums vs Structs

Structs

• What is a Struct?
• Create Instance
• Field Init Shorthand
• Struct Update Syntax
• Tuple Structs
• Unit-Like Structs
• Ownership of Struct Data
• Function Implementation
• Associated Functions
• Struct Methods
• Constructor Pattern

Vectors

• What is a Vector?
• Create a Vector
• Add and Remove Elements
• Access Elements
• Iterate over Elements
• Slicing, Length, and Capacity
• Common Vector Operations
• Understand Memory Management
• Ownership and Borrowing Rules

Collections and Iterators

• Vectors, arrays, and slices
• HashMaps and hash sets
• Iteration and iterators

Traits

• What is a trait?
• How does a trait related to traditional OOP interfaces?
• Defining a trait
• Implementing a trait
• Default implementations
• Traits as parameters
• Traits as return types
• Traits as bounds

Generics

• What is a generic?
• How does a generic related to traditional OOP generics?
• Defining a generic
• Implementing a generic
• Generic bounds
• Multiple generic types
• Where clauses

Pattern Matching

• What is Pattern Matching?
• Match Statement
• If Let Statement
• While Let Statement
• Destructuring Structs and Tuples
• Pattern Matching with Enums
• Pattern Matching with Functions
• Pattern Matching and Ownership
• Refutability and Irrefutability

Concurrent Programming

• What is Concurrent Programming?
• Using Multiple Threads
• Mutex, RwLock, and Arc
• Message Passing with Channels
• Sync and Send Traits
• Futures and Async/Await

Unsafe Rust

• What is Unsafe Rust?
• Raw Pointers
• Dereferencing Raw Pointers
• Calling Unsafe Functions
• Creating Safe Abstractions
• Unsafe Traits
• Unsafe Blocks
• Unsafe Superpowers

Macros and Metaprogramming

• What is a Macro?
• Define a Macro with macro_rules!
• Using Pattern Matching
• Define Expansion
• Use the Custom Macro

Tests

• What is a Test?
• Test Functions
• Test Organization
• Test Attributes
• Test Coverage
• assert!, assert_eq!, and assert_ne!

Documentation with Rustdoc

• What is Rustdoc?
• Add Documentation to Rust Code
• Triple-Slash Comments and the #[doc] Attribute
• Generate Documentation
• Linking and Cross-Referencing Documentation

Python Extension written in Rust (overview)

• Why write Python Extensions in Rust?
• Create a New Extensions
• Compile, Run, and Debug a Rust Extension
• Run Parallel Code outside of the GIL
• GIL and Rust Lifetimes
• Create Python Classes in Rust

Conclusion

• Course wrap-up and next steps