# Rust toolchain

Rust is a modern, type-safe, and high-performance programming language that offers a comprehensive set of features for developing complex systems. Its strong emphasis on safety and concurrency makes it a popular choice among developers. The language is supported by an active and vibrant community, which contributes to a growing ecosystem of reusable libraries known as crates.

#### Learning Rust <a href="#learning-rust" id="learning-rust"></a>

If you’re looking to dive into blockchain or smart contracts development you’ll need to become well-acquainted with Rust. Understanding the Rust programming language, its compiler, and toolchain management is essential for effectively utilising Substrate.

For beginners, a great starting point is The Rust Programming Language book, often referred to as "the book," which provides a thorough introduction to the language. Additionally, the Rust website offers a variety of resources under the Learn Rust section that can help guide your learning journey. As you set up your development environment, there are several key points to consider.

#### About the Rust Toolchain <a href="#about-the-rust-toolchain" id="about-the-rust-toolchain"></a>

The Rust toolchain comprises essential components, including the rustc compiler, the cargo package and build manager, and the rustup toolchain manager. It's important to note that multiple versions of Rust can coexist in your environment, with different release channels available: stable, beta, and nightly builds. The rustup program is crucial for managing these versions and ensuring that you can easily switch between different toolchain programs based on your project’s requirements.

The rustc compiler is designed to produce binaries for various architectures, known as targets. Each target is specified by a string that informs the compiler about the desired output format. This functionality is particularly significant for Substrate, which compiles to both a native Rust binary and a WebAssembly (Wasm) target.
