Debian Linux is Adopting Rust to Replace C/C++ in APT

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Datapioneer

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Nov 5, 2025, 6:32:59 PM (2 days ago) Nov 5
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Is everyone aware that the tried and true stable Debian Linux distro has officially adopted Rust into its APT (Advanced Package Tool) package management platform which will be implemented in May, 2026.

Since Debian is a root distro for many other Linux distros in the Wild, including Ubuntu, AntiX, and MX Linux to name only a few, this is a rather alarming shakeup in the Linux World. Architectural structures other than X86_64 and ARM that will be able to accommodate Rust into the kernel and APT must implement Rust within 6 months of the May, 2026 date or be forced to terminate its use of Debian altogether.

Personally, I use MX Linux 23.2 as my daily driver and so implementing Rust into that distro won't be a big deal and, in fact, will likely go unnoticed. 

What do others think of this announcement by the main developer of APT in Debian? I have added a link to a video that discusses this implementation in greater detail. Let us know what you think.

Dan C.

Cristopher De La Cruz

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Nov 5, 2025, 6:47:53 PM (2 days ago) Nov 5
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I don't understand the rush to force Rust onto everything so quickly?

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Bill Jacqmein

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Nov 6, 2025, 6:55:46 AM (yesterday) Nov 6
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It is being pushed as the most secure thing ever -
https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/urgent-need-memory-safety-software-products

PaulSecurityWeekly
(https://www.scworld.com/podcast-episode/3709-cybersecurity-is-dead-psw-898#full-show-notes)
had a story about UEFI going over to Rust
(https://opendevicepartnership.github.io/patina/) and all of the
current deployments that will never upgrade that deeply.

For Rust opinion - The memory attacks become unavailable but the logic
flaws will still be there for exploitation.
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Dan Stoner

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Nov 6, 2025, 7:49:36 AM (24 hours ago) Nov 6
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Rust became an officially supported Linux kernel language in 2022 with
kernel 6.1. I think that is the event that really started giving Rust
credibility and momentum.

Rust has been around for more than a decade though.

- Dan Stoner

On Wed, Nov 5, 2025 at 6:47 PM Cristopher De La Cruz
<cristop...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
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Bill Jacqmein

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Nov 6, 2025, 11:50:18 AM (20 hours ago) Nov 6
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I remember a time when everything was going to be written in Erlang.

I think Rust has more staying power but there is always the next new
thing and C as the choices.
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