How to use the command 'rustup help' (with examples)

The ‘rustup help’ command is a useful tool for obtaining information about the ‘rustup’ command and its various subcommands. It provides a general overview of the available commands and their functionalities. In addition, it allows users to access detailed help for specific subcommands, making it easier to understand and utilize the complete range of features provided by ‘rustup’.

Use case 1: Display general help

Code:

rustup help

Motivation:

The motivation for using the ‘rustup help’ command without any additional arguments is to obtain a general overview of the ‘rustup’ command and its subcommands. This can be useful for users who are new to Rust programming or those who need a refresher on the available tools and functionalities.

Explanation:

The ‘rustup help’ command without any additional arguments displays a general help message that provides an overview of the ‘rustup’ command, its available subcommands, and additional resources for more information. It serves as a starting point for users who need to familiarize themselves with the tool.

Example output:

rustup 1.24.3 (ce5817a94 2021-09-30)
The Rust toolchain installer

USAGE:
    rustup <command> [ARGS]

... # truncated for brevity

Use case 2: Display help for a subcommand

Code:

rustup help subcommand

Motivation:

The ‘rustup help’ command with a specific subcommand argument is useful for users who need detailed information about a particular ‘rustup’ subcommand. This allows users to understand the purpose, syntax, and options of a specific command, facilitating efficient usage of the tool.

Explanation:

The ‘rustup help’ command with a specific subcommand argument provides detailed help for that particular subcommand. It displays a description of the subcommand, its syntax, and available options. This helps users understand how to utilize the subcommand effectively.

Example output:

rustup help toolchain

rustup-toolchain - Modify or query the 'active' toolchain

USAGE:
    rustup toolchain [OPTIONS]

ARGS:
    <toolchain>    Toolchain name, like 'stable', 'nightly', or '1.8.0'. See
                   'rustup show' for active toolchain.

OPTIONS:
    --all           Use for all toolchains. If a toolchain is specified other than
                    overrides, reset override for that toolchain.
    --show-active   Also show the active toolchain (in addition to overrides)
    --color WHEN    Coloring: auto, always, never
    -v, --verbose   Verbose output

Conclusion:

The ‘rustup help’ command is a valuable resource for understanding and utilizing the ‘rustup’ toolchain installer. It provides both general and specific help, allowing users to familiarize themselves with the available commands and their functionalities. By using this command, users can make the most out of ‘rustup’ and efficiently manage their Rust programming environment.