What are the differences between language bindings and foreign function interfaces?

What are the differences between language bindings and foreign function interfaces?

Language bindings allow code written in one language to call functions in another language, while foreign function interfaces (FFIs) provide a way to call functions from other languages directly, often with more control over data types and memory.

Can you give an example of each?

Sure! An example of a language binding is Python's ctypes, which allows Python code to call C functions. An example of an FFI is Rust's FFI, which lets Rust code interact with C libraries directly.

Which one is better for performance?

FFIs generally offer better performance because they provide more direct access to the underlying language's features and optimizations, while language bindings may introduce overhead.

Are there any downsides to using FFIs?

Yes, using FFIs can lead to increased complexity, potential safety issues, and platform-specific dependencies, making the code harder to maintain.