What it means that Ubuntu is using Rust · baby steps
Hacker News
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The article explores the significance of Rust adoption in large-scale systems, particularly within Canonical’s Ubuntu ecosystem. Jon Seager, VP of Engineering at Canonical, highlights how Rust is being embraced as the language of choice for foundational projects, replacing traditional languages like C and C++. This move underscores Rust’s growing role in critical areas such as network services and resource management, signaling its maturity and reliability.
Rust has yet to fully bridge the gap into mainstream adoption. While it is widely used in data-heavy environments and low-level systems, industries like safety-critical software remain cautious. The concept of “crossing the chasm” from early adopters to the early majority requires reference customers—established entities that demonstrate successful implementation, thereby lowering perceived risk.
Canonical’s strategic adoption of Rust exemplifies this shift. By leveraging Rust for foundational efforts, Canonical is building credibility and providing a blueprint for others. This approach aligns with the vision of using Rust not just for niche or complex projects but as a reliable tool for everyday development challenges, even if it means overcoming obstacles along the way.
This matters to tech readers as it reflects a broader trend in software development: the move toward more robust and maintainable languages. Rust’s adoption by Canonical suggests a shift in industry practices, emphasizing reliability and performance over traditional paradigms. For developers and organizations, this signals a potential paradigm shift in how systems are built, with Rust playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of low-level programming.
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/23/2026