How to Install Rust on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Rust emerges as a top-tier choice for those keen on diving into the world of systems programming. In this guide, we’ll explore “How to Install Rust on Linux Mint 21 or 20”, ensuring you have the tools to harness the power and efficiency of this remarkable language.

Rust has carved a niche in the programming landscape thanks to its emphasis on performance and safety. Here’s a snapshot of what Rust brings to the table:

Key Features of Rust:

• Safety and Performance: Rust is a statically typed language that eliminates common programming pitfalls, ensuring robust performance without sacrificing safety.
• Memory Safety: With its strict type system, Rust guarantees memory safety, preventing issues like buffer overflows and null pointers.
• Versatility: Rust is adept at crafting various software, from operating systems and web browsers to game engines.
• Concurrency Support: Rust is equipped with built-in concurrency primitives and abstractions, catering to modern programming needs.
• Interoperability: Rust can seamlessly work alongside C and C++, making integration tasks smoother.
• Vibrant Community: A growing community of developers and enthusiasts ensures that Rust remains innovative and well-supported.

This guide will provide step-by-step instructions to seamlessly install Rust on Linux Mint 21 or 20 as we delve deeper. By the end, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on your Rust programming journey on Linux Mint.

Step 1: Update Linux Mint Before Rust Installation

Before installing Rust on Linux Mint, updating your system is crucial. This can be accomplished by opening your command terminal and running the following command, which will check for updates and upgrade any necessary packages.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Initial Packages for Rust Installation on Linux Mint

Before continuing, installing the necessary packages for installing and running Rust on your system is essential. To do so, run the following command to install the well-known and commonly used packages required for this installation.

sudo apt install curl build-essential gcc make -y

Step 3: Install Rust on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Once these prerequisites have been resolved, you can download the Rust installation script by executing the curl command.

curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh

After executing the previous command, you will have an output similar to the example below. This output includes a prompt asking whether you want to proceed with the default installation or customize it. Type “1” and press Enter to proceed with the default installation.

If you would like to make any customizations, you may do so by choosing a different option. Remember that customizing the installation may require additional steps and may not be necessary for most users.

Installing Rust programming language on your Linux Mint system is quick, typically taking 1 to 5 minutes, depending on your server’s internet speed and hardware configuration.

After the installation, activating the Rust environment for your current shell is necessary. This can be done by executing the command provided in the terminal output at the end of the installation process.

source "$HOME/.cargo/env"

It is important to note that activation of the Rust environment is a crucial step, as it allows you to use Rust for your current shell session and any future sessions.

Verifying the version build is essential to confirm that Rust has been successfully installed on your Linux Mint system. This can be done by executing a simple command that displays the Rust version installed on your system.

rustc -V

Example output:

rustc 1.67.0 (fc594f156 2023-01-24)

It’s important to note that if you cannot print the version build of Rust after verifying it, it may indicate that the Rust environment has not been activated for your current shell. If you encounter issues with printing the version build of Rust, it may be necessary to revisit the activation steps to ensure that the environment has been set up correctly.

Step 4: Create Rust Sample Project Application on Linux Mint 21 or 20

After successfully installing Rust on your Linux Mint system, verifying its functioning as expected is essential. One of the best ways to do this is by creating a simple test application, which will allow you to quickly and easily confirm that Rust is installed and configured correctly and that you can use it for your development projects.

Before you can start creating your test application in Rust, creating a directory that will serve as your workspace is important. This directory will be where you will create and store your Rust projects and code. Creating a dedicated workspace is the best practice for organizing your development projects and ensuring everything is in place.

mkdir ~/rust-projects

Once you have created your workspace directory, the next step is to change the directory to the workspace and create a sample application.

cd rust-projects && nano helloworld.rs

Next, you can test your Rust installation by entering the code to create a “Hello World” program.

fn main() {
    println!("Hello World, this is a test provided by LinuxCapable.com");
}

After entering the code, you can save and close the program using the “CTRL+O” and “CTRL+X” keys. Then, you can compile the program by executing the following command.

rustc helloworld.rs

Once the compilation process is complete, a new executable application will be created in your current directory. You can verify the program’s output and confirm that the “Hello World” application has been created successfully.

ls

To launch the “Hello World” application you created with Rust, execute the program using the specified command.

./helloworld

Additional Commands For Rust on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Update Rust on Linux Mint 21 or 20 via RUSTUP Command

Rust features a built-in updater, keeping the programming language up-to-date and straightforward. To update Rust on your Linux Mint system, execute a single command in your terminal,

rustup update

Remove (Uninstall) Rust from Linux Mint 21 or 20 via RUSTUP Command

If you no longer need Rust on your Linux Mint system, you can easily remove it using its built-in uninstall script. Run the specified command to uninstall the Rust Programming Language thoroughly.

rustup self uninstall

After executing the specified command, you should see a confirmation that Rust has been successfully uninstalled from your Linux Mint system.

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing Rust on Linux Mint is a straightforward process that offers many benefits to developers. Rust is widely recognized as a modern and prevalent programming language for its performance, security, and reliability, making it an excellent choice for building robust and scalable applications. Following the steps outlined in this article, users can easily install Rust on their Linux Mint system and start taking advantage of its many features.