Rust
Rust is a modern systems programming language focused on performance, reliability, and memory safety. It’s designed to prevent common programming errors that can lead to crashes, data corruption, and security vulnerabilities, making it an excellent choice for projects requiring high stability and security.
Unlike languages like C and C++, Rust achieves memory safety without garbage collection, resulting in performance comparable to C and C++.
What to look for in Rust freelancers
When hiring a Rust freelancer, look for demonstrable experience in areas relevant to your project. A strong understanding of Rust's ownership system, borrowing, and lifetimes is crucial.
Experience with relevant crates (Rust’s package management system) and libraries for your project's domain (e.g., web development, embedded systems, game development) is also essential. A good Rust developer should be proficient in writing clean, idiomatic code and have a good grasp of testing and debugging techniques.
Main expertise areas within Rust
Rust freelancers can specialise in various areas, including:
- Web development (using frameworks like Actix Web and Rocket)
- Embedded systems programming
- Game development (using engines like Bevy)
- Command-line interface (CLI) tool development
- Blockchain development
- Operating system development
Ensure the freelancer you choose has experience in the specific area relevant to your project.
Relevant interview questions
Here are some questions to ask potential Rust freelancers:
- Explain Rust’s ownership and borrowing system.
- What are lifetimes in Rust and why are they important?
- Describe your experience with asynchronous programming in Rust.
- What are some common crates you use and why?
- How do you approach testing and debugging in Rust?
- Describe your experience with specific frameworks or libraries relevant to my project (e.g., Actix Web, Rocket, Bevy).
Tips for shortlisting candidates
- Review candidates' portfolios and GitHub repositories for evidence of their Rust skills.
- Look for well-structured code, comprehensive tests, and clear documentation.
- Pay attention to their contributions to open-source projects and their engagement with the Rust community.
- Consider conducting a small coding test or asking for code samples relevant to your project.
Potential red flags
Be wary of candidates who:
- Lack a clear understanding of Rust's core concepts (ownership, borrowing, lifetimes).
- Cannot provide relevant code samples or demonstrate their experience.
- Have a poorly maintained or sparsely populated GitHub profile.
- Struggle to explain their approach to problem-solving in Rust.
Typical complementary skills
Rust developers often have experience with technologies such as:
- Other programming languages (C, C++, Python, JavaScript)
- DevOps practices (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Database management (PostgreSQL, MySQL)
- Web development technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
Depending on your project's requirements, these complementary skills can be beneficial.
What problems a Rust freelancer can solve for you
Hiring a Rust freelancer can help you:
- Develop high-performance and reliable applications.
- Build secure and robust systems.
- Create cross-platform applications.
- Integrate with existing C/C++ codebases.
- Develop cutting-edge technologies using a modern language.
For example, a Rust freelancer could develop a high-performance web server for your online platform, build a secure embedded system for an IoT device, or create a robust game engine for your next game title. Rust's focus on performance and safety makes it ideal for projects where reliability and security are paramount.
