Writing R Extensions in Rust

TL;DR

This paper introduces a framework for developing R packages using Rust, addressing integration challenges and ensuring compliance with CRAN policies, thereby enhancing performance and safety in R extensions.

Contribution

It presents the 'cargo' framework, a Rust-based API that simplifies creating R packages and addresses integration complexities.

Findings

The 'cargo' framework streamlines R package development in Rust.

Rust-based R packages can meet CRAN policies with proper wrappers.

The approach improves safety and performance of R extensions.

Abstract

This paper complements "Writing R Extensions," the official guide for writing R extensions, for those interested in developing R packages using Rust. It highlights idiosyncrasies of R and Rust that must be addressed by any integration and describes how to develop Rust-based packages which comply with the CRAN Repository Policy. This paper introduces the "cargo" framework, a transparent Rust-based API which wraps commonly-used parts of R's API with minimal overhead and allows a programmer to easily add additional wrappers.