Rust/C++ Interop - Carcinization or Intelligent Design?

Explore the complex landscape of Rust and C++ interoperability in this conference talk that addresses the growing need for seamless integration between these two powerful programming languages. Discover why hybrid codebases combining Rust and C++ are becoming the norm as both languages continue to expand their presence in software development. Learn about the fundamental challenges developers face when attempting to create interoperable systems, including ABI compatibility issues, platform and toolchain guarantees, and the various approaches to Foreign Function Interface (FFI) implementation. Examine current solutions ranging from C-based bridging techniques to automated glue-code generation tools, while understanding their limitations in achieving true general-purpose interoperability without performance degradation. Gain insights into why many existing community solutions fall short of delivering both performance and ergonomic requirements, and explore the ongoing research and development efforts aimed at solving these critical integration challenges. Understand the trade-offs between different interop strategies and discover emerging approaches that may define the future of Rust-C++ collaboration in large-scale software systems.