November 1, 2025
Choose Rust or dust
Hard Rust requirements from May onward for all Debian ports
Rust or sunset: Debian draws a line, retro fans fume, modernizers cheer
TLDR: Debian will require Rust for its installer tools by May 2026, telling old hardware ports to add Rust soon or retire. The community is split: some celebrate modern security and pragmatism, others blast the tone as dismissive of retro hobbyists, with debates flaring over old CPUs and culture.
Debian’s APT (the thing that installs apps) is getting a big makeover: hard requirements for the Rust programming language by May 2026. The message? If your hardware port can’t run Rust soon, it may be "sunset"—tech-speak for retired. Cue fireworks. Some cheered the tough love—CartwheelLinux says it’s important after years of drama around Rust in the Linux world. Others winced at the tone. Littlestymaar backs Rust as the future but says the wording felt dismissive of hobbyists.
The thread turned spicy fast. Noosphr rolled in with a Lisp flex and a side-eye at Rust’s more… intense fans. Nikanj brought the hammer: it’s “insane” Debian still supports ancient 1995-era chips, arguing modern systems shouldn’t bend to retro nostalgia. Then justinclift pointed out that, per a follow-up, Rust is already required on most Debian platforms anyway, with a few exceptions like alpha and m68k link. Meme-watch: “Install Debian on a toaster” jokes got toasted, and the comments devolved into Lisp vs Rust cage-match energy. The real split isn’t about code—it’s about vibe: move fast and secure things vs don’t dunk on old hardware lovers. Whether you’re clutching a Pentium Pro or embracing memory-safe modernity, Debian just made its choice.
Key Points
- •Debian plans to make Rust a hard dependency for APT no earlier than May 2026.
- •The requirements include the Rust compiler, standard library, and integration with the Sequoia ecosystem.
- •APT components targeted for Rust include parsing of .deb, .ar, .tar formats and HTTP signature verification.
- •Port maintainers must ensure a working Rust toolchain within six months or consider sunsetting the port.
- •The stated goal is to improve memory safety and unit testing, moving away from reliance on legacy hardware constraints.