How to Use the Command 'rustup help' (with Examples)

The rustup command is an essential part of the Rust programming environment. Rustup is a toolchain multiplexer that allows you to install and manage multiple versions of the Rust programming language on your system. It facilitates the installation of compilers, toolchains, and ensures that developers can work with different versions of Rust seamlessly. The rustup help command is specifically used to provide guidance and documentation on how to effectively utilize rustup and its various subcommands.

Use case 1: Display Help on Rustup

Code:

rustup help

Motivation:

Using the rustup help command is highly beneficial when you are new to rustup or need a refresher on its capabilities. As rustup offers a range of functionalities, having a quick reference to its commands can significantly enhance your workflow. This command serves as a gateway to understanding rustup’s full potential, allowing you to explore available options without having to trawl through lengthy documentation separately.

Explanation:

• rustup: This is the primary command that invokes the rustup toolchain manager. By entering this command, you are signaling to the terminal that you want to perform an operation related to the Rust environment setup managed by rustup.
• help: This argument specifies that you want to access the help menu. By appending help to the rustup command, you request an overview of all available commands and options associated with rustup.

Example output:

rustup 1.24.3 (ce5817a94 2021-05-31)
Usage:
    rustup [FLAGS] [OPTIONS] <SUBCOMMAND>

FLAGS:
    -h, --help       Prints help information
    -q, --quiet      Suppress fast and progress output
    -v, --verbose    Enable verbose output
    --version        Print version info and exit

SUBCOMMANDS:
    show             Show the active and installed toolchains or profiles
    update           Update Rust toolchains and rustup
    toolchain        Modify or query the installed toolchains
    target           Add or remove compilation targets
    component        Add or remove toolchain components
    override         Modify directory toolchain overrides
    run              Run a command with a specific toolchain
    default          Set the default toolchain
    self             Modify or query the rustup installation

Use case 2: Display Help for a Subcommand

Code:

rustup help update

Motivation:

As you become familiar with the basic rustup commands, you might encounter specific subcommands that require further understanding or clarification. This is where displaying help for a subcommand becomes immensely useful. By seeking detailed information on a particular subcommand like update, you can learn about its specific options and usage, empowering you to use the command effectively in your development environment.

Explanation:

• rustup: As before, this invokes the rustup toolchain manager.
• help: This calls the help functionality within rustup, focusing on providing more details about a specific subcommand.
• update: This is the specific subcommand for which you want more information. update is used to refresh Rust toolchains and rustup itself, ensuring that you are working with the latest versions available.

Example output:

rustup-update 
Update Rust toolchains and rustup

USAGE:
    rustup update [OPTIONS] [toolchain]...

FLAGS:
    -h, --help                 Prints help information
    -y, --yes                  Disable confirmation prompt.

OPTIONS:
    --no-self-update           Do not perform self update when running the `update` command
    --profile <profile>        Restricts installation of rustup or a toolchain to installation of components
    --force-non-host           Install the requested toolchain even if it requires missing components

ARGS:
    <toolchain>...             Rust toolchain name

Conclusion

The rustup help command is a powerful tool for Rust developers, offering immediate access to detailed command-specific documentation. Whether you’re trying to learn more about rustup’s general capabilities or need guidance on a particular subcommand, using these examples can streamline your development process, ensuring you make full use of rustup’s features efficiently.