9.12 Comparing Rust Structs with OOP Concepts

For readers familiar with object-oriented programming languages like C++ or Java, it's helpful to understand how Rust's structs relate to objects and classes.

  • Classes vs. Structs: In Rust, structs combined with impl blocks provide functionality similar to classes in OOP languages.
    • Structs hold data (fields).
    • Methods and associated functions provide behavior.
  • Inheritance: Rust does not support inheritance as in OOP languages. Instead, Rust uses traits to define shared behavior.
  • Encapsulation: Rust allows you to control visibility using the pub keyword.
  • Ownership and Borrowing: Rust's ownership model replaces some OOP features, focusing on safety and concurrency.