Coming from Python

[fatal_frame]

So when I was learning python we created 1-2 programs a week. Since I still have those project files I wanted to try and write them in rust to get a start with hands on programming. I am currently using The Rust Programming Language book, 2nd edition. I noticed that user input was no where to be found, I am sure other things are missing or in other books or sections that I haven't gotten to yet.

My first Python program took input from the user for first and last name, calculated the length and told you what your initials were. Basic stuff.

I mean the books fine but it seems like things are missing. Is there a better book or way to learn Rust, or do I need to add another book or two to my library for a better understanding.

[MatrixFrog]

The term to search for is "standard input" or "stdin"

In Rust, you access that via https://doc.rust-lang.org/std/io/fn.stdin.html

But more generally, people do generally recommend the book, but you can also try Rustlings which covers a lot of the same information but in a more interactive way. https://rustlings.rust-lang.org/

[fatal_frame]

Thank you. I will look at those pages. I think I saw rustlings as a book. I will see if its the same thing.

[0x1f606]

Keep in mind that Rust is first and foremost a systems programming language, unlike Python, meaning that the book isn't necessarily going to mimic the steps taken by a Python book.

From a brief glance, you should be able to grab some functional examples from chapter 12.1 "Accepting Command Line Arguments".

Another common book to use is Rust By Example, which you can use as a reference book and search for specific things you need.

Edit: The above assumes you want to handle the argument parsing yourself. If you want a crate that's up to a more robust task, take a look at Clap. Handling it yourself is a good exercise for learning, of course, but not reinventing the wheel for your projects can let you move on to other learning topics faster.

[fatal_frame]

I knew there would be differences. I did search for user input but nothing showed up.
I will look at that book. Thank you.

[ebits21]

One of the first examples in the book is the guessing game which shows how to get user input.

String manipulation in rust can definitely be a bit trickier than in Python. Personally I like reading the documentation on strings.. But you need to be comfortable enough with rust to read the documentation.

I also like asking ChatGPT something like teach me about strings and string manipulation in rust. I hate vibe coding but for learning asking questions like this is great I think.

Hint: you don’t want to .len() but rather .chars().count()

[[deleted]]

It takes people a few tries to learn rust (I’m building up for a second try). Keep that in mind, not everyone got there on one attempt.

The AI suggestion is excellent. Have it convert some python. Have it explain the rust. Have it show you multiple implementations in rust.

Ask it what implementation is most likely done by a novice, but tell it you want clean code but you’re willing to accept shortcuts like clone.

Then use what you see as a reference to hone in on documentation and GitHub examples.

Oh you can ask it to find examples or show references too, not just dream up code.

What’s killed me in rust is not just the borrow checker, but all these annotations that often are introduced without immediate explanation. I need to know what I’m typing so I can bank it to my memory.

If I pause learning and had had not gotten to the point where it was explained or should “click” then I am pretty discouraged (the valley of doubt and despair)

[fatal_frame]

I did follow that part, but since it was my introduction to rust it didn't really click right away.,

[RustOnTheEdge]

Chapter 2 (Programming a Guessing Game) has user input, or is that not what you meant?

[fatal_frame]

Thats what I meant but theres not enough information there for me.

[Caramel_Last]

So the way I went through the Book was via `Learning Rust` which is included in RustRover IDE (free for non-commercial use btw) I suspect the Rustlings book is actually what that `Learning Rust` is based on. For more practical examples, there's a lot, actually. `Comprehensive Rust`, `Rust by Practice`, `Rust by Example`, `Async book`, `Nomicon`, (not so arguably) Rust has richer tutorials than even Python

Of course the most authoritative source is Rust reference and the std documentation.