rustc

Compile a Rust file

$ rustc [main.rs]

$ rustc [main.rs] -o [program]

$ rustc -O [main.rs]

$ rustc -C opt-level=3 [main.rs]

$ rustc -g [main.rs]

$ rustc -W warnings [main.rs]

$ rustc --emit=asm [main.rs]

$ rustc --emit=llvm-ir [main.rs]

$ rustc --emit=metadata [main.rs]

$ rustc --version

rustc [options] input

rustc is the compiler for the Rust programming language. It compiles Rust source code (.rs files) into executables or libraries. The compiler performs type checking, borrow checking, and optimization.
While rustc can be used directly, most Rust development uses Cargo which invokes rustc with appropriate settings. Direct rustc usage is common for simple programs, learning, or advanced build customization.
rustc uses LLVM for code generation, providing excellent optimization and support for many target platforms.

-o file

Output filename.

Optimize (equivalent to -C opt-level=2).

Include debug information.

Codegen options.

Set lint warning level.

Allow lint.

Deny lint (make it error).

Output type (asm, llvm-ir, obj, link).

Crate type (bin, lib, dylib, staticlib).

Rust edition (2015, 2018, 2021).

Target platform.

Explain an error code.

Add library search path.

Specify external crate location.

Direct rustc usage requires manual dependency management. Most projects should use Cargo instead. Edition differences may cause compatibility issues. Cross-compilation requires target toolchain installation.

rustc was developed as part of the Rust programming language project, started by Graydon Hoare at Mozilla in 2006. Rust reached version 1.0 in May 2015. The compiler was originally written in OCaml but was rewritten in Rust (self-hosted) by version 1.0. Development continues under the Rust Foundation, established in 2021.

cargo(1), rustup(1), rustfmt(1), clippy(1)