Bridging Rust and C++ at Meta
Meta’s relationship with Rust dates back to 2016, when the language was first adopted for source control tooling. Since then, Rust has become one of Meta’s primary supported server-side languages, sitting alongside C++, Python, and Hack.
That widespread adoption came with friction, particularly when Rust-based services needed to interoperate with Meta’s substantial existing C++ codebase. In a recent episode of the Meta Tech Podcast, Aida G., an engineer on one of Meta’s earliest Rust teams, discusses those challenges with host Pascal Hartig.
Key to resolving the pain points was the release of cxx, a tool that enables safe interop between C++ and Rust. The conversation covers how cxx streamlined what had been a brittle process, and how support for async Rust further eased the integration burden.
Where to Listen
The Meta Tech Podcast covers engineering work across the company, from low-level frameworks to end-user features. Feedback can be sent via Instagram, Threads, or X.
