Why Choose Dust DDS?
Dust DDS represents a modern approach to the Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard. Unlike traditional implementations rooted in legacy C++, Dust DDS is built from the ground up using safe Rust to deliver reliability, portability, and performance without compromise.
Safety and Reliability
Memory safety is a critical concern in distributed systems. Traditional DDS implementations often suffer from vulnerabilities related to manual memory management.
- Memory Safety: Dust DDS is written in purely safe Rust, eliminating entire classes of bugs such as buffer overflows and data races at compile time.
- Reliability: The strict type system and ownership model ensure that the middleware is robust and stable, suitable for mission-critical applications.
- Predictable Performance: By avoiding runtime garbage collection and leveraging zero-cost abstractions, Dust DDS delivers consistent low-latency performance.
True Portability
Dust DDS offers a unified codebase that scales from cloud infrastructure to bare-metal microcontrollers, avoiding the fragmentation common in other ecosystems.
- Unified Architecture: The same core library runs on powerful servers and resource-constrained embedded devices.
- No “Micro” Subset: Developers have access to the full feature set across all platforms, ensuring consistent behavior.
- Simplified Development: Debugging and testing can be performed on desktop environments with confidence that the behavior will match the target hardware.
Native Web Support
Modern applications increasingly require web integration. Dust DDS treats the browser as a first-class citizen.
- WebAssembly Support: The library compiles directly to WebAssembly (Wasm), allowing web applications to become native DDS participants.
- Direct Communication: Eliminate the need for complex bridges or WebSocket gateways.
- Seamless Visualization: Visualize data directly in the browser with no additional infrastructure overhead.
Open and Future-Proof
Dust DDS is designed to be open and extensible, preventing vendor lock-in and ensuring long-term viability.
- Open Source: Released under the permissive Apache 2.0 license.
- Standard Compliant: Strictly adheres to the OMG DDS standard for interoperability.
- Transparent: Full access to the source code allows for deep auditing and customization.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Legacy C++ Implementations | Dust DDS (Rust) |
|---|---|---|
| Language | C++ (often legacy standards) | Rust (Safe & Modern) |
| Memory Safety | Manual management | Guaranteed by Compiler |
| Microcontrollers | Requires separate “Micro” product | Same Core Library |
| Web Support | Requires proprietary bridges | Native WebAssembly |
| Licensing | Often proprietary | Open Source (Apache 2.0) |
Commercial Support
While Dust DDS is open source, we offer professional services for enterprises requiring guaranteed support and custom integration.
If you are evaluating Dust DDS for a critical project, please contact us to discuss how we can assist with your specific requirements.