How to Run a Rust File?

To run a Rust file, you typically follow a two-step process: compile the source code into an executable program and then execute that program.

Here's a straightforward guide based on the provided reference:

Understanding the Process

Rust is a compiled language. This means that before you can run your code, you must use the Rust compiler (rustc) to translate your human-readable source file (usually ending in .rs) into a machine-readable executable file. Once compiled, you can then run the generated executable.

Compiling and Running Your Rust Code

The specific commands to compile and run a Rust file depend slightly on your operating system.

Step 1: Compile the File

Navigate to the directory where your .rs file is saved using your terminal or command prompt. Use the rustc command followed by the name of your file. For example, if your file is named main.rs:

rustc main.rs

This command reads your main.rs file and creates an executable file in the same directory. The executable will be named main on Linux/macOS and main.exe on Windows.

Step 2: Run the Executable

After successful compilation, you can run the generated executable.

• On Linux or macOS:
  Use the ./ prefix followed by the executable name.

  ./main

• On Windows:
  Use the .\ prefix followed by the executable name (which includes the .exe extension).

  .\main.exe

If your code prints output, you will see it in the terminal. For instance, a simple "Hello, world!" program would display:

Hello, world!

Command Summary

Here's a quick summary of the commands:

Operating System	Compile Command	Run Command	Example Output
Linux / macOS	rustc main.rs	./main	Hello, world!
Windows	rustc main.rs	.\main.exe	Hello, world!

Note: The reference specifically mentions these commands: $ rustc main.rs $ ./main Hello, world! for Linux/macOS and rustc main.rs .\\main.exe Hello, world! for Windows, illustrating both the command and the expected output.

Using cargo run (Alternative)

For more complex projects or when using Rust's build tool and package manager, Cargo, you can use the cargo run command. This command automatically handles both compiling your project and running the resulting executable. It's the preferred method for most Rust development workflows.

To use cargo run, make sure you are in the root directory of your Cargo project (the directory containing the Cargo.toml file).

cargo run

This is often simpler as you don't need to manually manage the compiler (rustc) or the resulting executable file paths.

In summary, you compile your .rs file with rustc and then execute the resulting file, or you can use cargo run for projects managed by Cargo.