August 3, 2024 at 06:08AM
DARPA is pushing TRACTOR, a program to automatically convert legacy C code to Rust for improved memory safety. Tech giants support the move away from C/C++ due to memory safety bugs. While some argue for maintaining C/C++ standards, DARPA is focused on automating the transition to Rust for increased security.
Based on the meeting notes, the DARPA is leading the development of TRACTOR, which aims to automate the conversion of legacy C code into Rust to address memory safety concerns. The project is driven by the prevalence of memory safety bugs and vulnerabilities in large codebases. DARPA hopes to leverage machine-learning tools and AI models to facilitate the conversion process, making software more secure.
The software engineering community and public sector have been influenced by the challenges posed by memory safety bugs, leading to a consensus on the need for memory safe programming languages. Rust, with its memory safety features and suitability for low-level programming, has gained traction, with initiatives like Prossimo focusing on rewriting critical code in Rust to reduce security risks.
Industry experts, like Peter Morales, CEO of Code Metal, view the TRACTOR project as promising and crucial for cybersecurity, despite the challenges associated with automatic code conversion. While there is support for moving part of the code to Rust, concerns are raised about the technical complexities and potential edge cases involved in formulating rules for language conversion.
DARPA is planning an event for proposals related to the TRACTOR project on August 26, 2024, emphasizing the importance of automation and the participation of various codebases from the defense industrial base.