Rust isn't just another programming language. It actually brings a whole host of features and advantages to the table, compared to other languages.

Here's a list of a few things that make Rust special:

Rust has a powerful ownership system that ensures memory safety at compile time. This means that you don't have to worry about potential memory leaks or using memory after it's been freed, as the compiler can catch these issues before you even run your code.

In the PHP world, how you write your code can have an impact on how the code performs. For example, using a class for a single static method can be less performant than just using a regular function. Rust overcomes this problem by providing zero-cost abstractions. You won't pay a performance penalty for using a generic struct over a concrete one, for example.

In the world of programming, Rust is still the new kid on the block. By looking at pitfalls of other languages, Rust has been able to learn from them and provide a modern language and avoid the same mistakes. Language features such as generics, pattern matching, tagged unions, just to name a few, are all incredibly powerful and available in Rust.

Plenty of ecosystems, including PHP, have seen a rise in Rust's popularity.

Our cousins in the JavaScript world love building new tools in Rust. The performance and developer experience benefits that it brings to the table are a huge draw for developers.

Rust-based tools such as Tauri allow you to build desktop applications using web technologies. The NativePHP project is working on adding Tauri support — having solid Rust skills will most definitely increase your chance of success with these tools.

Want to write a PHP extension but don't want to faff around with boring ol' C? You can use Rust, thanks to some excellent packages and libraries from members of both communities!