C standard libraries
There are many C-libraries.
- glibc
- musl
- uClibc
- newlib
- MinGW-w64
Newlib
Newlib is a lightweight and efficient C library primarily designed for embedded systems and other resource-constrained environments. It provides standard C library functionality, including input/output, string manipulation, memory management, and more, while prioritizing small size and minimal overhead.
Although it aims to offer POSIX compatibility, Newlib does not implement the full range of POSIX functions found in larger libraries like glibc. Suitable for bare-metal environments, Newlib serves as a practical choice for projects where conserving resources is paramount and where comprehensive POSIX compliance is not a strict requirement.
glibc (GNU C Library):
glibc is the standard C library for the GNU operating system and most Linux distributions.
It provides comprehensive POSIX compatibility and a wide range of features, but it is relatively large and may not be suitable for embedded systems with limited resources.
musl libc:
musl is a lightweight, fast, and efficient C library that aims to provide POSIX compatibility with minimal overhead. It is designed to be small and suitable for embedded systems and other resource-constrained environments.
If you intend to primarily write your code in Rust and want to leverage the Rust ecosystem, using the Generic ELF/Newlib toolchain might not be the most desirable option. Here's why:
Compatibility: The Generic ELF/Newlib toolchain is primarily tailored for C development, particularly in embedded systems or bare-metal environments. While Rust can interoperate with C code, using Newlib might introduce additional complexity when working with Rust code.
Standard Library: Rust provides its standard library (std), which is designed to work across different platforms and environments. By default, Rust code targets libstd, which provides a rich set of functionality beyond what Newlib offers. Using the Generic ELF/Newlib toolchain might limit your ability to leverage Rust's standard library and ecosystem.
Community Support: Rust has a vibrant community and ecosystem, with many libraries and tools developed specifically for Rust. Using the Generic ELF/Newlib toolchain might limit your access to these resources, as they are often designed to work with Rust's standard library (std) rather than Newlib.
Maintenance: While it's possible to use Rust with the Generic ELF/Newlib toolchain, maintaining Rust code alongside C code compiled with Newlib might introduce challenges, especially if you're not already familiar with both languages and their respective toolchains.
Instead, if you intend to write mostly in Rust, consider using toolchains and libraries that are specifically designed for Rust development in embedded systems or bare-metal environments. For example, you could use toolchains targeting libcore or libraries like cortex-m, embedded-hal, or vendor-specific hal crates, which provide idiomatic Rust interfaces for interacting with hardware and low-level system functionality. These options are more aligned with Rust's design principles and ecosystem and might provide a smoother development experience for Rust-centric projects.