rustc:tldr:dec00

The rustc --print target-list command is used to list all the available target platforms that you can compile your Rust code for. Each target represents a specific combination of architecture, operating system, and other attributes that determine the environment your code will run on.

When executed, this command will display a list of target platforms supported by the Rust compiler (rustc). It will typically list the names of various targets along with their corresponding architectures and operating systems. The output will look something like this:

aarch64-apple-ios
aarch64-linux-android
aarch64-pc-windows-msvc

Each target name consists of a triple separated by hyphens, following the pattern <architecture>-<vendor>-<operating system>. The architecture refers to the CPU architecture, the vendor indicates the manufacturer or supplier, and the operating system denotes the specific software environment.

These target platforms are used to cross-compile Rust code for different systems. By specifying a target during compilation, you can generate executable files or libraries that can be run on the desired platform. This is particularly useful when you want to compile your code for a different architecture or operating system than your development machine.

The --print target-list option simply displays this list of supported targets, allowing you to see the available options and choose the appropriate one for your needs.