In the programming universe, the choice of an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) can be as personal and nuanced as selecting a smartphone. JetBrains, the software company renowned for creating some of the most popular IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA and PyCharm, has recently made a foray into the Rust development landscape with RustRover. This standalone IDE is specifically engineered for Rust programming, promising an all-in-one solution that covers everything from code editing and debugging to package management. While this announcement has sparked a wave of excitement in the developer community, it also raises some pressing questions about the future of JetBrains' existing Rust plugin for IntelliJ-based IDEs. Will RustRover extend JetBrains' role as a pathfinder in the IDE market, or is it a departure from what has made their other products successful?"

Before the advent of RustRover, JetBrains had already been serving the Rust community with a versatile plugin compatible with all IntelliJ-based IDEs. This open-source plugin charted a course for Rust development, becoming more than just a side project; it was a well-received tool with a growing user base. It was partially based on rust-analyzer and worked seamlessly with various JetBrains IDEs, including CLion for C++ and IntelliJ IDEA for Kotlin and Java. However, this course wasn't without its roadblocks. To unlock debugging capabilities, users had to opt for the Ultimate version of IntelliJ IDEA, which is a paid offering.

The introduction of RustRover aims to change this dynamic. It promises to offer a more streamlined and focused experience for Rust developers. But this isn't just about adding another tool to the toolbox; it's about potentially reshaping the toolbox itself. JetBrains has hinted that the existing Rust plugin might become exclusive to RustRover, a move that could leave current users of IntelliJ and CLion in a state of uncertainty. This is a significant pivot, and it's one that has left the community divided, as evidenced by discussions on Rust forums.

While the focus is primarily on native Rust development, it's important to consider Rust's growing influence in other areas, particularly WebAssembly (Wasm). Tools like wasm-pack are making it easier than ever to compile Rust into WebAssembly, thereby expanding the language's scope and applicability. This raises an intriguing question: Will RustRover evolve to support Rust's expanding role in web development? It's a consideration that JetBrains will likely have to address as Rust continues to diversify its reach.

The community's reaction to RustRover has been a blend of enthusiasm and caution. On one hand, users are excited about a dedicated IDE that supports not just Rust, but also Cargo, TOML, web, and database technologies. It even includes all the functionality of IntelliJ IDEA, such as VCS integration. On the other hand, there's a cloud of uncertainty regarding the future of the existing Rust plugin for IntelliJ and CLion. This plugin, although deprecated and no longer officially supported by JetBrains, has been a cornerstone for many developers.

The ambiguity surrounding RustRover is further complicated by the technical challenges associated with Rust itself. For example, installing Rust on a Windows system requires additional components like Visual Studio and specific Software Development Kits (SDKs). How RustRover plans to navigate these complexities to offer a truly seamless experience is still an open question.

Adding to the mix is the yet-to-be-determined licensing and pricing structure for RustRover. While it's confirmed that the product will be commercial and sold on a subscription basis, the specifics are still under wraps. This leaves potential users wondering how the cost will compare to existing JetBrains IDEs.

As for the plugin version of RustRover, it will remain compatible with IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate and CLion during its preview phase. However, its long-term availability for these platforms will be determined closer to RustRover's stable release, which is expected no later than September 2024.

While some see RustRover as the next pathfinder in Rust development, charting a course toward a more streamlined experience, others worry it might go off-road, leaving users of other JetBrains IDEs stranded. Amidst this blend of hope and hesitation, the developer community is keenly watching how RustRover will tackle these technical and strategic challenges.

RustRover emerges as an ambitious project with the potential to redefine the Rust development experience. Yet, its introduction has also sown seeds of doubt and raised more questions than it has answered. As JetBrains continues to develop and refine RustRover, the developer community will be keenly watching. They'll be evaluating whether this new IDE can truly become the go-to platform for Rust development or if it will simply be another option in an already crowded and diverse toolkit. Either way, the stakes are high, and the next few months could be pivotal in shaping the future of Rust development.

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Banner Image Credits: Attendees at Great International Developer Summit