Not all programming languages are created equal. Some excel in certain criteria, while others are good at the rest.
And this time, Google said that it is funding a project to help improve Linux security by rewriting some parts of the operating system's core to the Rust programming language.
This modernization effort could help eliminate an entire class of memory-related security bugs in the kernel, which is a key part of the internet's infrastructure, running on everything from servers to edge devices and smartphones.
To do this, Rust is added right into Linux's kernel, in a way that it could mark a major technological and cultural shift for Linux as an open-source software project.
To help with the project, Google hires Miguel Ojeda, a scientist who have written software used by the Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator and worked on programming language security.
At this time, he is contracted to write software in Rust for the Linux kernel, with Google paying for the contract, which is being extended through the Internet Security Research Group (ISRG), the nonprofit behind the Let's Encrypt certificate authority.
In general, adding Rust modules to Linux's kernel would improve its security, as it closes some avenues for hackers.
Linux has long been solely written in the old but powerful C programming language. But that language is already decades old, and was not developed for the more modern digital ecosystems, essentially making it more vulnerable to hacks.
"Adding a second language to the Linux kernel is a decision that needs to be carefully weighed," said Ojeda in a statement. "Rust brings enough improvements over C to merit such consideration.
At this time, Linus Torvalds, the founder of Linux, has said that he's open to change if Rust for Linux champions prove its worth.
Initially, Ojeda has proposed 13 changes needed to allow Rust modules in Linux to get things started.
And as for Google who pays for this, has taken some early steps to make it possible for it to use Rust on Linux's Android.
Read: Android Starts Supporting Rust Programming Language To Reduce Memory Bugs
Rust is a programming language developed by Mozilla, the creator of the popular Firefox web browser.
After making it independent under the Rust Foundation, developers of the programming language develop Rust with the intention to make it safer for software that depends on it, to write into memory.
The developers know that hackers often exploit memory problems, like for example, by hiding malicious extra code. Rust can check for those malicious things, as well as other problems, right when programmers are building their software.
Among other reasons, an increasing number of programmers are adopting Rust on their project.
In fact, the programming language has been among the loved programming language for years according to Stack Overflow, the Q&A platform for programmers and coders.
To many of them, Rust represents the best alternative to C and C++. The programming language can prevent memory problems, with capabilities that don't come at the expense of performance when the software is running.
While this part of Google's project, it should be noted that Google also has its own memory-safe language. Called Go.
"Google has a variety of other investments in languages, tools, and platforms," a company spokesman said. "Having multiple solutions to related but not necessarily overlapping problems allows for a cross pollination of good ideas to be reused."
