Rust Rules

[davidde]

I noticed that while learning and programming Rust, I often need to refer back to some of the rules, for instance lifetime elision or borrowing. Since there is no central place where to find them, I often lose some time in tracking down in what part they are located. I think it would be very beneficial for Rust learners to have such a place where all the rules are listed, both for reference, as well as to develop an intuition / mental framework for them. It makes it easier to keep them all in your head, and maintain the bigger picture.

So what I'm actually proposing is a new appendix part where all the rules are listed: borrowing rules, lifetime elision, dereference and deref coercion, object safety, module rules (file systems and privacy), etc.

I expect the book to be used both as a tutorial and a reference for learners, and I believe a Rules section would make the book a better tool for the people it caters to: programmers learning Rust.

[carols10cents]

Interesting. There will be an index in the print version, which should help somewhat, we'll think about whether we should pull these sorts of things out into an appendix as well. Thank you for the suggestion! 🌮

[davidde]

No problem. Happy it will be considered.

[kellyjensen]

I too would find this highly valuable.

[davidde]

Thank you for speaking up! That's exactly how I feel ;)

[sondr3]

I would love this as well :)

[carols10cents]

After considering this, I think it will be addressed sufficiently in the print edition with the index, in the online edition with search, and perhaps an online-only supplement to the book that anyone could create.