Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, shared his perspectives on programming languages and tools during a talk at the Open Source Summit India 2026.He emphasized his continued preference for C over Rust, stating that while Rust addresses certain bugs, it does not resolve logic errors.

Torvalds highlighted the importance of automated verification tools for C code, including patch-checking systems like Sashiko, which help ensure code quality.He criticized the overhype around Rust, noting that its benefits are limited to specific types of errors.

Additionally, he warned that mixed C/Rust codebases face challenges when interacting with core kernel C code, which remains more reliable due to extensive testing.Torvalds also discussed the role of AI in patch-checking, acknowledging its potential while stressing the value of human code review.His comments reflect a pragmatic approach to software development, prioritizing simplicity and direct collaboration over complex tools.