You can do that if you want, just use the Rc<T>/Arc<T>/Weak<T> types.
That said, you're right: if you don't need Rust's strengths, the tradeoff may not be worth it.
That said, you're right: if you don't need Rust's strengths, the tradeoff may not be worth it.
I think what I'd really like is something like C# and the .NET base class library, but AOT compiled to native code and using automatic reference counting, with some way to indicate weak references. I know that neither GC nor reference counting quite reaches the level of "don't make me think" when it comes to resource management, but given a choice between explicit resource disposal and the occasional weak reference annotation, I think I'd choose the latter.
Anyway, enough ranting from me for now.
It sounds like Swift may be close to what you want, yeah?
First there will be need of a standard library. For the moment to do anything sensible you are importing Apple's Foundation Library (probably in one year time it will be better).
Then I see no problem to have it server-side (both as a scripting or compiled language).
Anyone familiar to swift internals here to say whether server-side swift is at least theorically feasible ?
Mono -aot and .NET Native.
Just not with RC, though.
Or D, if you with to have both GC and RC.