Show HN: Trust – Coding Rust like it's 1989
TRUST is a novel text-based user interface (TUI) IDE for Rust, meticulously designed to mimic the iconic blue-screen development environments of 1989 DOS. This 'experimental nostalgia project' allows developers to edit files, browse Rust projects, and run Cargo commands within a delightfully retro interface. It captures the imagination of the Hacker News community by blending modern language capabilities with a deep dive into computing history, offering a truly unique developer experience.
The Lowdown
TRUST is a unique "nostalgia project" that brings the aesthetics and workflow of classic blue-screen DOS development environments to modern Rust programming. This Text-based User Interface (TUI) IDE aims to provide a retro coding experience, proving that even a contemporary language like Rust can feel like it's being developed in 1989.
- The IDE features a multi-pane layout, including a project explorer, a code editor, and a dedicated output pane for
cargocommands. - It supports fundamental development tasks such as file editing, project navigation, and executing common
cargocommands likerun,check,test, andbuild. - Users interact with TRUST primarily through a rich set of keyboard shortcuts, including F-keys and Ctrl/Alt combinations, alongside full mouse support for navigation, text selection, and pane resizing.
- Despite its experimental nature, TRUST is capable of building its own source code, demonstrating its core functionality and adherence to the "olden days" development paradigm.
- The project explicitly states its purpose as purely nostalgic, an independent effort to fill a perceived gap for a retro-styled Rust IDE.
In essence, TRUST is a charming and functional homage to early computing development, offering a distinct and engaging way to interact with Rust projects for those who appreciate a touch of digital antiquity.