21CTO

Sep 15, 2026 · Backend Development

CPython Drops Mandatory Rust Dependency, Opts for Optional Rust API in Python 3.16

CPython maintainers have abandoned plans to make Rust a required dependency, instead pursuing an optional Rust API for internal extensions, with integration targeting Python 3.16 in 2027, addressing platform compatibility, build system differences, and memory safety challenges while adopting Rust's Cargo-inspired tooling like uv.