> If we accept that Rust is indeed more difficult to learn than comparable systems programming languages
I do accept this, and I try to be honest about it when I'm shilling Rust :) But at the same time, I think it's worth pointing out that what we mean by "learn" can really depend on context. The subjective experience of learning a language looks something like "getting my homework done and turned in for a grade". And in that sense, for sure, learning Rust is harder than learning C. (I won't make a claim about C++.) But what percentage of people who have "learned" C can actually write UB-free C with any reliability? For the folks who really can write UB-free C, how many years did it take you to get to that point?
I do accept this, and I try to be honest about it when I'm shilling Rust :) But at the same time, I think it's worth pointing out that what we mean by "learn" can really depend on context. The subjective experience of learning a language looks something like "getting my homework done and turned in for a grade". And in that sense, for sure, learning Rust is harder than learning C. (I won't make a claim about C++.) But what percentage of people who have "learned" C can actually write UB-free C with any reliability? For the folks who really can write UB-free C, how many years did it take you to get to that point?