computer science//memory safety

Memory safety constrains memory access so that a program does not read or write through invalid references or beyond the storage it is permitted to use. A language can enforce these constraints through static checks, runtime checks or restricted operations. Different mechanisms have different costs and guarantees.

Memory safety constrains memory access so that a program does not read or write through invalid references or beyond the storage it is permitted to use. A language can enforce these constraints through static checks, runtime checks or restricted operations. Different mechanisms have different costs and guarantees.

The distinction matters because a valid algorithm can still be implemented with invalid memory accesses. Why Rust exists explains one language-level approach; security covers the broader question of what an attacker can do with a defect.