Name: Unsafe Rust
Start: 2026-09-09T14:50:00-0400
End: 2026-09-09T15:30:00-0400

Wednesday September 9, 2026 14:50 - 15:30 EDT

This presentation explores the role of Unsafe Rust in systems programming and its implications for safety-critical software. Rust is designed to provide memory safety and prevent common programming errors through its ownership and borrowing model. However, certain low-level operations require the use of unsafe code, which introduces risks such as undefined behavior (UB) and under-specified semantics. We examine the distinction between safe and unsafe Rust, the nature of UB, and why formal specifications are essential for reliability. The talk highlights challenges in defining Rust’s semantics, the concept of library-level invariants, and the importance of operational models for correctness. Finally, we outline the “Golden Path” toward a complete Rust specification, including initiatives like MiniRust, A-mir-formality, Tree Borrows, and Miri, which aim to close the UB gap and provide a rigorous foundation for safe and predictable Rust programs.

Speakers

Robert C. Seacord

Standardization Lead, Woven by Toyota

Robert C. Seacord is the Standardization Lead at Woven by Toyota where he works on the Software Craft. Robert is the convenor of the ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG14 international standardization working group for the C programming language.Previously, Robert was a Technical Director at... Read More →

Wednesday September 9, 2026 14:50 - 15:30 EDT
Palais des Congrès de Montréal

Breakout Sessions

Success you have shared X tickets.

RustConf 2026

Robert C. Seacord

Get help with the event

Success you have shared X tickets.

RustConf 2026

Robert C. Seacord

Sign up or log in to save this to your schedule, view media, leave feedback and see who's attending!

Get help with the event