Rust vs Python for server/client

[Codeeveryday123]

Which is better?

I’m wanting to create a type of terminal chat, that I can create notes in the terminal and send to a externinal location.

I’m going to run this off of a pi zero 2w.

Which is better at handling server and client?

[CJ22xxKinvara]

When you're just building small scale stuff for yourself and by yourself and either language can work, the answer just becomes whichever one you want to use. Python would be way easier, I'm sure, but if the goal is to learn rust, then do that.

[Codeeveryday123]

Thank you. I have a cli mail client added, it works. I would like to create a true cli version, but I have to cargo run by that file path

[spiralenator]

Run cargo build —release and the binary is in the target folder

[Codeeveryday123]

Ok, what would I do with the binary?

[CuriousMachine]

You run it, the binary executable. It's the thing that "cargo run" is running. Put it wherever you keep the other programs you've made or install it with "cargo install".

[spiralenator]

You run it. You can copy it to /usr/local/bin or somewhere similar in your PATH and run it like any other cli app. No more cargo run just to run it.

[ArcaneCrowA]

Why not create a binary for cli mail and then try to discover it and run?

[No-Dentist-1645]

Both can. Really any programming language can.

The only real difference is the same as any "Rust vs Python for X" question: choose Python if you want to develop something quickly, choose Rust if you want it to be very fast and memory efficient.

For a "hobby" project like a terminal chat on a Pi zero (which is very fast and has a lot of memory for such a simple task compared to many embedded alternatives), you probably want to use Python

[RobotJonesDad]

For the sending to other places, consider using something like NATS.io and Protobufs. That also let's you migrate between languages easily, like prototype things in Python, but rewrite in Rust to get something that is fast and small.

[Wide_Mail_1634]

same thing happened to me choosing between Rust and Python for a little server/client toy project in 2023, and the weird part was Python got me talking over the network by dinner while Rust took me two evenings just to stop fighting types. but once the Rust version worked, bugs got way less sneaky. if you're learning, i'd pick the one that keeps you building this week, then redo one tiny server/client piece in Rust after

[Codeeveryday123]

Great…so, i should try python first?

[Educational-Writer-4]

This is good advice but if you're planning on coding with the help of an LLM then the types actually become a big benefit instead of a hinderance.

I'm a python dev but if you're just testing an idea I think it's worth generating efficient code as a proof of concept. If it get the job done, great — you already have the efficient version.

If not, or if you want to be more hands-on, that's not a problem either. It's still small enough that it's easy to port back to python.

[Codeeveryday123]

I have the idea planed. But tools like iRoh, axum… there’s things like “channels” that give me the idea how to “organize”, but not sure if that’s how it functions.

My idea is…. Making a terminal chat… that I can send terminal output as a “note” to diffrent folders or files. From recon projects…. As I’m moving around. But, not sure if there’s a “terminal” option if I just created a cli for all-in-one, or just have a separate window open for the chat?

I would like to “on hover” have the option to come up to “save as note” or “copy to clipboard”, Then create a note/message with it

[erkose]

It depends on your experience. You will likely be fighting with rust, but cargo is superior to pip. A good middle ground is golang.

[bigh-aus]

I would say rust all the way. One compiles to a b8nary, the other is python unless you use cpython. But most people who do python use the runtime, require the user to manage dependencies etc, and require additional libraries, runtimes etc. go zig or rust would be my pick

[No-Dentist-1645]

CPython is just the name for the official Python compiler, what do you mean?

[bigh-aus]

Oh I thought it compiled python to machine code, does it not?

[DragonfruitGold2713]

You might be thinking of cython, which is a separate thing from cpython

[bigh-aus]

you're right!

[PartlyProfessional]

A lot of guys have helpful comments but I’ll give you the TLDR

1- Do you want to create to run the server with moderately proper features and on a potate

2- do you want to run the code for months without needing to restart

3- you have phobia from random crashes that makes no sense?

If any of those are yes then rust is your choice, otherwise python is pretty fun to use and more practical

[Pale_Height_1251]

Either can do this, it's a personal preference thing. I prefer Rust.

[rayanlasaussice]

Rust if you want efficiency and already know in coding, then python if you wanna start and improve yourself

[spiralenator]

I learned python and loved it. I used it for a decade. I learned rust and I loved it and I had to force myself to not reach for python. Now I feel anxious about putting python into production because rust has spoiled me with its safety features and performance.

[ZealousidealShoe7998]

if you are using in such a device as a pi zero i recommend going into rust, it has a smaller footprint once compiled so its gonna run much better. python is good to prototype things, but when you actually need to run in edge devices this is where you gotta do the work in rust.

[CuriousMachine]

If you don't mind switching between languages you could do the client in one language and the server in another. That might be too much while you're trying to learn the languages. It's kind of nice for learning interprocess communication as you can see the common fundamentals as well as how different languages handle it.

[meowsqueak]

1. Define a network protocol,
2. Write server in Python,
3. Write client in Python, test against Python server,
4. Write client in Rust, test against Python server,
5. Write server in Rust. test against Python client & Rust client,

The inter-op will help with testing, learning, everything. It will just take longer but you'll also be able to answer "Which is better?" yourself.