Using the modern language (Rust) on an old device is hard

upupwrite — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 18:13:40 +0000

Modern programming languages are beautiful, and Rust is one of the best out there. It’s packed with modern features—functional programming, a great package manager, and more. Honestly, when I’m coding on a modern machine, my favorite tool is Cargo. But when I’m stuck with an old device? Oh boy, Cargo becomes my worst nightmare.

Here’s the deal:

I’ve got this ancient machine running Debian 32-bit (KDE), and when I tried installing Cargo, things went downhill fast.

1. Cargo is HUGE

First off, Cargo needs to download the entire package index—and that thing is massive. The packages themselves aren’t lightweight either. One time, I just wanted to build a simple GTK demo, and before I knew it, Cargo had eaten up 1-2 GB of space. After just two small projects, my poor old device was completely out of storage. At first, I had no clue what was happening—until I checked and realized Cargo had taken over everything. So yeah, I gave up on GTK + Rust for that machine.

2. Cargo is NOT "fast"

I mean, development speed is painfully slow. Rust is a compiled language, so you’d think it’s like C++, right? Nope. It’s way harder to compile. I spend so much time just waiting for Cargo to finish.

Here’s how C++ compiles:

And here’s Rust:

Why is Rust so slow to compile?

Monomorphization of Generics – Rust generates specialized machine code for every type, which means more work at compile time.
Strict Type & Borrow Checking – All those ownership rules? They make Rust safe, but they also make the compiler work extra hard.
LLVM Backend – Rust uses LLVM for optimizations, which is great for performance but terrible for compile speed.
Linking Times – Big projects with lots of dependencies? Prepare to wait.
Macros & Metaprogramming – Procedural macros expand into tons of code, adding extra steps.
Crates & Dependencies – Even tiny changes can trigger full recompiles.
Debug Info – Debug builds are extra slow because of all the safety checks.

3. The Rust Version Problem

I tried installing Cargo via apt—easy, right? Wrong. I ended up with a 2021 version of Rust. I wanted the 2024 edition, but rustup was a nightmare. The download speed? A few kilobytes per second (thanks to my location). Total pain.

4. What Did I Choose Instead?

C++? It’s okay, but after getting used to Rust’s clean syntax, C++ just feels… clunky.
Rust? Love-hate relationship. It’s powerful, but on old hardware? Brutal.
Python? Life-saving.

Why Python Wins on Old Machines

✓ Easy package management – Most packages don’t need compiling.
✓ Fast to write, fast to run – No waiting for compilation. Just code and go.
✓ "Slow" in execution? Who cares? – You save so much time not fighting the compiler.
✓ Lightweight – Runs on anything. No heavy IDE needed—just a text editor.

At the end of the day, running Rust on old hardware is like strapping a jet engine to a bicycle—cool in theory, but not always practical. If you’re up for the challenge, go for it! But if you just want to get things done, Python is the real MVP for broke devs.