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Zero To Production In Rust: An introduction to backend development
Zero To Production is the ideal starting point for your journey as a Rust backend developer.
You will learn by doing: you will build a fully functional email newsletter API, starting from scratch.
You'll learn how to:
- Navigate and leverage Rust's crates ecosystem
- Structure your application to make it modular and extensible
- Write tests, from single units to full-blown integration tests
- Enforce your domain invariants using Rust's type system
- Authenticate and authorize users of your API
- Implement a robust error handling strategy
- Observe the state of your application using structured logs
- Set up an extensive continuous integration and continuous deployment pipeline for your Rust projects
The book is composed of 11 chapters, for a grand total of 500 pages. All supporting code (including tests!) is available on GitHub.
You will learn by doing: you will build a fully functional email newsletter API, starting from scratch.
You'll learn how to:
- Navigate and leverage Rust's crates ecosystem
- Structure your application to make it modular and extensible
- Write tests, from single units to full-blown integration tests
- Enforce your domain invariants using Rust's type system
- Authenticate and authorize users of your API
- Implement a robust error handling strategy
- Observe the state of your application using structured logs
- Set up an extensive continuous integration and continuous deployment pipeline for your Rust projects
The book is composed of 11 chapters, for a grand total of 500 pages. All supporting code (including tests!) is available on GitHub.
616 pages, Paperback
Published March 14, 2022
83 people are currently reading
522 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 20, 2021
A helpful resource for web developers who are keen on making the best out of rustlang.
The book in itself is clearly written. The community around the book in discord and GitHub is an added advantage that helps us if and when we get stuck.
Follow the author on twitter for more updates: https://twitter.com/algo_luca
The book in itself is clearly written. The community around the book in discord and GitHub is an added advantage that helps us if and when we get stuck.
Follow the author on twitter for more updates: https://twitter.com/algo_luca
June 5, 2023
This is a solid book to read if you're familiar with web development, familiar with rust and now want to learn the tool chain to do web development in rust. It's an easy and light read that can be completed in one sitting, may be 2.
To the degree is a long walk through of a code base that uses modern rust stack. As of 2023 it's up to date and can serve you as a good template. (But as with any book of this genre it's risking of becoming dated in 3-5 years)
The theoretical part of the book is relatively small however I did appreciate occasional links and references to the topics discussed. But overall you should be somewhat familiar with web development and rust to appreciate this book. And be prepared to read a lot of code, that's the main purpose to show you pretty realistic rust "in-action".
To the degree is a long walk through of a code base that uses modern rust stack. As of 2023 it's up to date and can serve you as a good template. (But as with any book of this genre it's risking of becoming dated in 3-5 years)
The theoretical part of the book is relatively small however I did appreciate occasional links and references to the topics discussed. But overall you should be somewhat familiar with web development and rust to appreciate this book. And be prepared to read a lot of code, that's the main purpose to show you pretty realistic rust "in-action".
May 28, 2024
This book shows you how to think when developing Rust for a backend enterprise system.
The author takes a TDD approach (not something that pointy haired bosses always allow the luxury of), and consequently, there is a lot of backtracking and refactoring towards correct passing code. This did make the book longer.
Some nitpicks:
- Chapter 10 on auth flows was over 100 pages, making it a bit tedious to absorb.
- Would have liked to see some fullstack guidance (eg Leptos front-end).
All in all, much good guidance on optimal crates to use and how to think as a Rust dev.
I am assuming that much of the wisdom of this tome will find its way behind Pavex framework macros !
The author takes a TDD approach (not something that pointy haired bosses always allow the luxury of), and consequently, there is a lot of backtracking and refactoring towards correct passing code. This did make the book longer.
Some nitpicks:
- Chapter 10 on auth flows was over 100 pages, making it a bit tedious to absorb.
- Would have liked to see some fullstack guidance (eg Leptos front-end).
All in all, much good guidance on optimal crates to use and how to think as a Rust dev.
I am assuming that much of the wisdom of this tome will find its way behind Pavex framework macros !
February 27, 2023
Really great follow up to the Rust Book as I'm learning Rust. I went straight from the Rust Book to Zero To Production and found it to be incredibly approachable and applicable to what I wanted to first learn about the Rust ecosystem. It covered so many useful libraries, patterns, and concepts related to Rust development. If you're following along like I was, writing the code examples (you 100% should!), there are some points where the ordering of the examples can make Clippy a bit unhappy. Just be sure to read thoroughly and don't be afraid to check out the Github repo if you really get stuck. There are some places where the code base changes quite quickly, implementing a solution to a problem one way and then immediately reimplementing with a better approach. I really loved this about the book and feel that it would be especially useful for newer software developers that haven't encountered many of these concepts in the past. If you're looking to learn Rust and enjoy working on web services, I'd consider this essential reading in your journey.
April 12, 2025
While this book does what it says , "teaches you to write Rust web servers" , i felt many times i lacked direction as to where the chapter was going. Multiple times i felt i just was thrown inside a topic related to CI/CD or SQL and had no idea why or what....
The book does what it intends and assumes you have a general knowledge of Rust (you read The Rust Book) , i am definetly convinced i won't be writing web apps in Rust anytime soon.
You have the base language which is already complicated sometimes, add on top of it Actix Framework with its own macros and functionalities (that you probably need to dig in) , async-await and you have a recipe for disaster.
The book does what it intends and assumes you have a general knowledge of Rust (you read The Rust Book) , i am definetly convinced i won't be writing web apps in Rust anytime soon.
You have the base language which is already complicated sometimes, add on top of it Actix Framework with its own macros and functionalities (that you probably need to dig in) , async-await and you have a recipe for disaster.
October 14, 2024
"Zero To Production In Rust" is an exceptional resource for developers looking to dive into backend development using Rust. Written by Luca Palmieri, this book stands out not only for its clarity but also for its practical approach to building real-world applications.
From the outset, the author sets the stage by explaining the foundational concepts of backend development, making it accessible even for those new to the field. The book follows a hands-on methodology, guiding readers through the creation of a production-ready web application. This approach allows readers to learn by doing, reinforcing key concepts while simultaneously building a functional product.
One of the standout features of this book is its focus on Rust's unique advantages, such as memory safety, concurrency, and performance. Palmieri deftly illustrates how these features contribute to building robust backend systems, emphasizing Rust's growing popularity in the developer community. Each chapter builds on the last, leading readers through various stages of development, including setting up a web server, working with databases, implementing authentication, and deploying applications.
The book is well-structured, with each section clearly outlining objectives and expected outcomes. Code examples are plentiful and easy to follow, often accompanied by explanations that demystify complex topics. This makes it easier for readers to understand how to implement various functionalities while also grasping the underlying principles.
Furthermore, the author addresses common pitfalls and challenges developers might encounter along the way, offering practical solutions and best practices. This guidance is invaluable for those who may feel overwhelmed by the intricacies of backend development.
In summary, "Zero To Production In Rust" is a must-read for anyone interested in backend development with Rust. It strikes a perfect balance between theory and practical application, making it an ideal resource for both beginners and seasoned developers looking to expand their skill set. With its clear writing, engaging examples, and comprehensive coverage of relevant topics, this book is an essential addition to the library of anyone serious about mastering backend development, whether they are working in a backend company or as independent developers
From the outset, the author sets the stage by explaining the foundational concepts of backend development, making it accessible even for those new to the field. The book follows a hands-on methodology, guiding readers through the creation of a production-ready web application. This approach allows readers to learn by doing, reinforcing key concepts while simultaneously building a functional product.
One of the standout features of this book is its focus on Rust's unique advantages, such as memory safety, concurrency, and performance. Palmieri deftly illustrates how these features contribute to building robust backend systems, emphasizing Rust's growing popularity in the developer community. Each chapter builds on the last, leading readers through various stages of development, including setting up a web server, working with databases, implementing authentication, and deploying applications.
The book is well-structured, with each section clearly outlining objectives and expected outcomes. Code examples are plentiful and easy to follow, often accompanied by explanations that demystify complex topics. This makes it easier for readers to understand how to implement various functionalities while also grasping the underlying principles.
Furthermore, the author addresses common pitfalls and challenges developers might encounter along the way, offering practical solutions and best practices. This guidance is invaluable for those who may feel overwhelmed by the intricacies of backend development.
In summary, "Zero To Production In Rust" is a must-read for anyone interested in backend development with Rust. It strikes a perfect balance between theory and practical application, making it an ideal resource for both beginners and seasoned developers looking to expand their skill set. With its clear writing, engaging examples, and comprehensive coverage of relevant topics, this book is an essential addition to the library of anyone serious about mastering backend development, whether they are working in a backend company or as independent developers
September 13, 2023
Oh yes. This book gets you started the right way, right off the bat. Unlike other authors, no lofty promises are made, just good, solid information delivered. I love the practical application side of things. You get your hands dirty with code all the time and end up with production-ready projects.
It's up to date and instead of building non-sensical samples, it makes you work for your knowledge, in a good way. Along the journey you learn how to build backend software in Rust, from concept to deployment, monitoring, the works!
This really is Rust in action, not just toying around. I have found tremendous value in this book and have used many of the techniques in real-world projects.
It's up to date and instead of building non-sensical samples, it makes you work for your knowledge, in a good way. Along the journey you learn how to build backend software in Rust, from concept to deployment, monitoring, the works!
This really is Rust in action, not just toying around. I have found tremendous value in this book and have used many of the techniques in real-world projects.
December 16, 2022
This is a fantastic resource for those wanting to take a deep dive into API development with Rust. Luca takes you on a journey, going down dead end and doubling back, all in the name of learning. Through it, you'll learn what works and what doesn't, not only because someone told you so, but because you've actually experienced it. By the end of this journey, you should be sufficient: you may not know everything there is about Rust development, but you'll have the foundations and tools necessary to progress further.
July 18, 2024
8wow, excellent book to hands on RUST via web development. You'll learn the hard way of building production grade API using RUST (via actix).
Surely not easy reading book, however the author trying to explain and give reasoning completely on how to develop web API with production scenarios in mind.
You can learn a lot about the webdev concepts in RUST without need to couple with actix. Many generic concepts that generally applicable for any languages/frameworks.
Surely not easy reading book, however the author trying to explain and give reasoning completely on how to develop web API with production scenarios in mind.
You can learn a lot about the webdev concepts in RUST without need to couple with actix. Many generic concepts that generally applicable for any languages/frameworks.
February 15, 2025
A very well written and clear to understand introduction of the concepts that are the foundation of a good project. Starting with basic tests and finishing with the real delivery to users, this book seemed for me like a checklist to do when building a new project from scratch, a checklist that I would never think about even though I have already 6 years in development.
Good book. I recommend
Good book. I recommend
April 18, 2025
A great introduction to backend development, be it in Rust or not.
Covers basic topics such as error handling, telemetry, deployments and other common tasks in backend development.
Specifically focus on the Rust way to implement these things, reaching for good quality ecosystem crates where it makes sense.
Covers basic topics such as error handling, telemetry, deployments and other common tasks in backend development.
Specifically focus on the Rust way to implement these things, reaching for good quality ecosystem crates where it makes sense.
October 22, 2020
Super nice hands on introduction to building a production service in Rust. This is not a theory book, but a book that you can follow when you are building your own code. Good advices and easy to read.
April 13, 2024
It's an okay book. Too little focus on Rust. It's mostly about how to create a toy web api. Imo too much of the content is about less important fluff like ci/CD, deployments, tracing, etc which is strictly speaking not specific to Rust.
October 22, 2020
Good modern Rust. I especially like the way the author starts with a simple concept, like logging, then refractors several times to bring it up to full instrumentation.
November 14, 2024
A useful tool for the experienced web developer who is new to Rust. The focus on operationalization is especially appreciated.
January 14, 2026
Luca did a really great job explaining many production-level concepts to people who are new to Rust.
April 25, 2025
Page 80/433, theory + practice
Page 292-389 theory
Page 292-389 theory
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2023
As the name claims, this book is very good for those who want to use Rust in a production environment. It builds a e-mail delivery system from scratch using PostgreSQL and explain a lot important concepts of production application.
I only do not give it a 5/5 because the book isn't very well designed to be consumed through an e-reader like Kindle and the PDF version is not 100% either. But it's still a good value for the money.
I Recommend it!
I only do not give it a 5/5 because the book isn't very well designed to be consumed through an e-reader like Kindle and the PDF version is not 100% either. But it's still a good value for the money.
I Recommend it!
February 7, 2024
Even though is still a book in progress I learned a lot. Not only rust but also backend development.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews