Developers of the Thunderbird email client announced about the beginning of the integration of components written in the Rust language into the code base. The next major release of Thunderbird, the release of which expected in July of this year, the code will be included with implementation Microsoft Exchange Web Services (EWS) mail protocol implemented in Rust. Support for accessing the Microsoft Exchange calendar and address book will be added at a later date. Built-in implementation eliminates the need for installation third party add-onsthrough which support for Microsoft Exchange has so far been provided.
It is noted that using the Rust language to implement the intended functionality will reduce the likelihood of errors when working with memory, provide increased performance compared to a JavaScript add-on, and will allow it to fit into the existing ecosystem developing email-related modules in the Rust language. The integration of development tools in a new language is simplified by the fact that Rust is already used in Firefox and in Thunderbird it will be possible to use the existing infrastructure for testing and continuous integration, as well as XPCOM (Cross-Platform Component Object Model) binding for interaction of components in the Rust language with code in C++ and JavaScript.
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Among the disadvantages of integrating Rust support, there is an increase in the code base, the need to create missing bindings, and the adaptation of some asynchronous handlers that are not compatible with the model of asynchronous operations in Rust to work with Rust code.
Other features planned for inclusion in the July ESR release of Thunderbird include:
- Support synchronization of settings between systems via linking to an account in Mozilla Account.
- Transition to a new global message storage database that allows you to implement alternative ways of displaying correspondence.
- Continuation development of a vertical layout mode for a list of messages (Card View), stylized for mobile interfaces in which elements are shown in the form of “flat” cards.
- Full Dark mode support applicable to messages and images.
- New opportunities panels with a list of mail folders (Folder Pane).
- Creation Account Huba single point for setting up all accounts.
- Integration of the built-in machine translation engine Firefox Translate.
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