What are the differences between threads and async in Rust?

What are the differences between threads and async in Rust?

In Rust, threads are used for concurrent execution, while async allows for non-blocking operations. Threads run in parallel, whereas async uses an event loop to manage tasks.

Can you explain how async works in Rust?

Sure! Async in Rust uses the async and await keywords to define asynchronous functions. It allows you to write code that can pause and resume, enabling efficient handling of I/O operations without blocking the thread.

When should I use threads instead of async?

You should use threads when you need true parallelism, especially for CPU-bound tasks. Async is better for I/O-bound tasks where you want to handle many operations without blocking.

Are there any performance trade-offs between using threads and async?

Yes, threads can have higher overhead due to context switching and memory usage, while async can be more efficient for I/O-bound tasks but may introduce complexity in code structure.