Compile Rust programs with cargo build --release to optimize memory usage and performance.
Use the cargo build tool to compile your Rust program in release mode, which enables optimizations that significantly reduce memory usage and improve performance. Run the following command in your project directory to build the optimized binary:
cargo build --release
This command produces a binary in the target/release directory that is smaller and more memory-efficient than the default debug build.
Rust programs use more memory when you are developing them because the compiler includes extra information to help you find bugs. When you are ready to share or run your final program, you tell the compiler to remove that extra information and squeeze the code as tight as possible. It is like packing a suitcase for a trip: you leave the extra clothes and tools at home and only take what you absolutely need.