Unlock the Power of Deno Plugins with Rust
Deno, a revolutionary JavaScript runtime built with Rust and V8, offers a secure way to run JavaScript outside the browser. One of its key features is the ability to write plugins in Rust, which can be used within Deno code. In this tutorial, we’ll explore the benefits of creating Deno plugins in Rust and guide you through the process of building a PNG optimizer plugin.
Why Choose Rust for Deno Plugins?
Rust plugins offer superior performance and access to a vast array of tools, making them ideal for heavy tasks like image processing. By leveraging Rust’s high-quality crates, you can expand the Deno ecosystem and create plugins that cater to specific needs.
Plugin Project Structure
The plugin project structure mirrors that of a standard Deno module. We’ll use a boilerplate to get started, which includes a Rust project in the native directory and a Deno module in the root.
Building a Rust Project
The Rust project compiles a dynamic library that’s loaded by the Deno runtime. The compiled file type and name vary depending on the operating system. Our boilerplate supports Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Adding Rust Code
Let’s create a PNG optimizer using the oxipng crate. Every Deno plugin must export the denoplugininit function and register all exported methods. We’ll use the #[no_mangle] attribute to ensure the function name remains unchanged.
Creating the Optimizer Function
Each exported function has a specific signature, and Deno plugins can only export functions. These functions can be sync or async, depending on the return type. We’ll create an optimizer function that takes a file as input, processes it, and returns the result as a Box.
Loading a Rust Plugin in Deno
Now that our plugin is compiled, let’s load it using Deno. We’ll use the openPlugin method to load the plugin and the ops method to get the method identifier. The dispatch function is used to run the code exported by the native plugin.
Writing Async Plugins
To avoid blocking the main thread, Deno allows you to return a future from the native function. We’ll create a future using the async block and return it as a boxed future. Deno handles the completion of the future and informs the Deno side of the plugin.
Unlocking the Full Potential of Deno Plugins
By leveraging Rust’s ecosystem and creating plugins, you can expand the Deno ecosystem and access a wide range of tools. Whether it’s image processing, database connectors, or more, Rust plugins offer unparalleled flexibility and performance.
Debugging Rust Applications with LogRocket
Debugging Rust applications can be challenging, especially when users experience issues that are hard to reproduce. LogRocket offers a comprehensive solution, providing full visibility into web frontends for Rust apps. Try LogRocket today and modernize how you debug your Rust apps!