How to Write Generic Functions in Rust

Write generic functions in Rust by replacing concrete types with a type parameter inside angle brackets and using that parameter in the function signature.

fn largest<T: PartialOrd>(list: &[T]) -> &T {
    let mut largest = &list[0];
    for item in list {
        if item > largest {
            largest = item;
        }
    }
    largest
}

The T placeholder allows the function to work with any type that implements the PartialOrd trait, enabling comparisons.

Generic functions are like reusable templates that work with any data type instead of just one specific type. You use them when you want to write a function once but have it handle numbers, text, or custom objects without rewriting the code. Think of it as a universal tool that fits any screw size rather than needing a separate screwdriver for each one.