What are the differences between async and threading in Rust?

What are the differences between async and threading in Rust?

In Rust, async programming allows you to write non-blocking code using the async/await syntax, while threading involves creating multiple threads that can run concurrently. Async is generally more efficient for I/O-bound tasks, whereas threading can be better for CPU-bound tasks.

Can you give me an example of when to use async over threading?

Sure! If you're building a web server that handles many simultaneous connections, using async would be ideal because it can handle many requests without blocking. On the other hand, if you're performing heavy computations, threading might be more suitable.

What are the performance implications of using one over the other?

Async can lead to lower memory usage and better scalability for I/O-bound tasks, while threading can provide better performance for CPU-bound tasks but may incur higher overhead due to context switching.

Are there any libraries in Rust that support async programming?

Yes, popular libraries include Tokio and async-std, which provide async runtimes and utilities for building asynchronous applications.