Rust Version Compatibility Issues

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 131 views

Introduction

As the primary repository for getting Rust working with Retro68, it is essential to document the last compatible Rust version that can build this project. This information will serve as a reference point for users who may encounter issues with newer versions of the Rust compiler. In this article, we will discuss the changes introduced in various Rust versions that led to compatibility issues with Retro68.

Rust Version Compatibility Issues

nightly-2024-01-28

The nightly-2024-01-28 version of the Rust compiler introduced a change that affected the default data layout for the powerpc-ibm-aix target. This change caused a compile error, which is consistent with the documentation stating that powerpc32 is no longer supported. The official Rust documentation explicitly mentions that powerpc32 is not supported anymore.

**Error Message:**
error adding symbols: no more archived files

This error message indicates that the compiler output is no longer linkable, which is a significant issue for Retro68. The nightly-2024-01-28 version of the Rust compiler is not compatible with Retro68 due to this change.

nightly-2023-08-03

The nightly-2023-08-03 version of the Rust compiler introduced a change that removed the ability to use lang_items. This change caused further errors and made it difficult to build Retro68.

**Error Message:**
error[E0277]: the trait bound `lang_items` is not satisfied

This error message indicates that the lang_items trait is not satisfied, which is a result of the change introduced in nightly-2023-08-03.

Compiler Output Issues

Somewhere between the nightly-2023-08-02 and nightly-2023-08-03 versions, the compiler output stopped being linkable. This issue is characterized by the error message error adding symbols: no more archived files.

**Error Message:**
error adding symbols: no more archived files

This error message indicates that the compiler output is no longer linkable, which is a significant issue for Retro68.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the last compatible Rust version for Retro68 is nightly-2023-08-02. Any version after this may introduce compatibility issues, including changes to the default data layout for the powerpc-ibm-aix target, removal of the ability to use lang_items, and issues with compiler output being linkable. While it may be worth fixing these issues, it is also possible to create a fork of the Rust compiler to add a stable target for Retro68.

Recommendations

Use the nightly-2023-08-02 version of the Rust compiler for building Retro68.
Consider creating a fork of the Rust compiler to add a stable target for Retro68.
If you are experiencing issues with newer versions of the Rust compiler, try using the nightly-2023-08-02 version.

Future Development

Q: What is the last compatible Rust version for Retro68?

A: The last compatible Rust version for Retro68 is nightly-2023-08-02. Any version after this may introduce compatibility issues, including changes to the default data layout for the powerpc-ibm-aix target, removal of the ability to use lang_items, and issues with compiler output being linkable.

Q: Why is `nightly-2024-01-28` not compatible with Retro68?

A: The nightly-2024-01-28 version of the Rust compiler introduced a change that affected the default data layout for the powerpc-ibm-aix target. This change caused a compile error, which is consistent with the documentation stating that powerpc32 is no longer supported.

Q: What is the error message when trying to compile with `nightly-2024-01-28`?

A: The error message is error adding symbols: no more archived files. This error message indicates that the compiler output is no longer linkable, which is a significant issue for Retro68.

Q: Why is `nightly-2023-08-03` not compatible with Retro68?

A: The nightly-2023-08-03 version of the Rust compiler introduced a change that removed the ability to use lang_items. This change caused further errors and made it difficult to build Retro68.

Q: What is the error message when trying to compile with `nightly-2023-08-03`?

A: The error message is error[E0277]: the trait bound lang_items is not satisfied. This error message indicates that the lang_items trait is not satisfied, which is a result of the change introduced in nightly-2023-08-03.

Q: Can I fix the compatibility issues with newer versions of the Rust compiler?

A: Yes, it may be possible to fix the compatibility issues with newer versions of the Rust compiler. However, this would require a good understanding of the Rust compiler and its development process.

Q: Is it recommended to create a fork of the Rust compiler to add a stable target for Retro68?

A: Yes, it may be worth considering creating a fork of the Rust compiler to add a stable target for Retro68. This would allow users to build Retro68 without encountering compatibility issues with newer versions of the Rust compiler.

Q: What are the benefits of creating a fork of the Rust compiler?

A: The benefits of creating a fork of the Rust compiler include:

Ability to add a stable target for Retro68
Ability to fix compatibility issues with newer versions of the Rust compiler
Ability to customize the Rust compiler for specific use cases

Q: What are the challenges of creating a fork of the Rust compiler?

A: The challenges of creating a fork of the Rust compiler include:

Requires a good understanding of the Rust compiler and its development process
Requires significant development and testing effort
May require coordination with the Rust community and other developers

Q: How can I get started with creating a fork of the Rust compiler?

A: To get started with creating a fork of the Rust compiler, follow these steps:

Familiarize yourself with the Rust compiler and its development process
Identify the specific changes needed to add a stable target for Retro68
Create a fork of the Rust compiler and make the necessary changes
Test and validate the changes
Coordinate with the Rust community and other developers as needed