Understanding String and &str in Rust

The article provides a detailed exploration of Rust’s string types, focusing on the differences between `String`, `&String`, and `&str`, and how these differences affect programming practices in Rust. It explains that `String` is an owned, mutable type stored on the heap, while `&String` is a reference to a `String` and `&str` is a slice that allows read-only access to string data. The text discusses practical implications, such as performance and API design, emphasizing the importance of understanding ownership and mutability when choosing between these types. The article also covers string operations, including slicing, pattern matching using methods like `contains`, `starts_with`, `find`, and `rfind`, and string conversions, highlighting how these operations can impact code efficiency and performance. Additionally, it offers code examples to demonstrate these concepts and their application in API design and optimization, aiming to help developers write effective Rust code and avoid common errors related to string handling.