You can do that if you want, just use the Rc<T>/Arc<T>/Weak<T> types.
That said, you're right: if you don't need Rust's strengths, the tradeoff may not be worth it.
That said, you're right: if you don't need Rust's strengths, the tradeoff may not be worth it.
I think what I'd really like is something like C# and the .NET base class library, but AOT compiled to native code and using automatic reference counting, with some way to indicate weak references. I know that neither GC nor reference counting quite reaches the level of "don't make me think" when it comes to resource management, but given a choice between explicit resource disposal and the occasional weak reference annotation, I think I'd choose the latter.
Anyway, enough ranting from me for now.
It sounds like Swift may be close to what you want, yeah?
Anyone familiar to swift internals here to say whether server-side swift is at least theorically feasible ?
First there will be need of a standard library. For the moment to do anything sensible you are importing Apple's Foundation Library (probably in one year time it will be better).
Then I see no problem to have it server-side (both as a scripting or compiled language).
Mono -aot and .NET Native.
Just not with RC, though.
Or D, if you with to have both GC and RC.