Why doesn't `Box::new` return an `Option` or `Result`?

Question

I don't understand why Box::new doesn't return an Option or Result.

The allocation can fail because memory is not unlimited, or something else could happen; what is the behavior in such cases? I can't find any information about it.

user_7529562 · Answer

For someone coming from 2021, linus has same concerns with you.

I do think that the "run-time failure panic" is a fundamental issue.

Hopefully that will be solved through rust team effects.

https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/pull/84266

https://lwn.net/ml/linux-kernel/YHdSATy9am21Tj4Z@localhost/

https://lkml.org/lkml/2021/4/14/1099

Why doesn't `Box::new` return an `Option` or `Result`?

4 Answers