Monomorphization is the compilation transformation that creates concrete specialized copies of a generic function for the types with which it is instantiated.
Monomorphization is Rust’s compilation transformation for generic functions: each concrete type used at a call site receives its own specialized function copy. section 5.3
Specializing one generic function
A generic `foo<T>(t: T) -> T` called with `i32` and `u8` becomes two concrete versions: one accepting and returning `i32`, and one accepting and returning `u8`. section 5.3
How Write Powerful Rust Macros covers it
How deep it goes
Defines the transformation and its performance trade-offs, but does not descend into compiler implementation internals.
Examples
Uses `foo<T>` calls with `i32` and `u8`, plus a generic `compose_two` function generated by a procedural macro.
What it assumes
Assumes familiarity with Rust generics, function calls, concrete types, and procedural-macro-generated code.
What you can do after
Evaluate how generic calls may improve speed while increasing binary size, especially across many concrete types.
How it connects
Connects generic functions with procedural macros, code generation, execution speed, and binary size.
Learn Rust in a Month of LunchesMonomorphization generates a separate concrete function or type implementation for each concrete type used with generic code.
genericsproduces · Generics are programming-language constructs that parameterize or generalize types and operations so they can apply to multiple concrete types or input forms.
This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Write Powerful Rust Macros. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.
