Crates.io or Docs.rs can use a "similar crate" tab

63 points Seideun

Background

Today I searched for "Rust const assert" in hope that I might find a replacement to debug_assert in const fn. Of course, the 1st crate in the search result was const_assert. However, with more browsing I found another more feature-rich crate static_assertions.

My idea

I started to wonder: we can use a "similar crates" tab or "related crates" tab in docs.rs or crates.io. The links can be community-maintained.

It's also possible to show some backlinks from the crate to discussions on the crates in the Rust forum, where details could be elaborated.

Current status

So far, some crate authors are maintaining comparisons such as benchmarks with other crates in their main page, but this is occasional and not universal.

Websites such as "Are we XX yet?" are great curated lists of subecosystems for Rust, but they have not been integrated well with Crates IO and Docs RS.


What do you think of it? Any similar ideas before me? I'm familiar with Rust and willing to help.