Updated June 2, 2023
Introduction to Go Programming Language
The Go programming language is a procedural language that was developed by Google’s Robert, Ken, and Rob in 2007. It was first launched as an open-source programming language in 2009. In Go, programs are assembled by using packages to manage dependencies efficiently. This language supported patterns of environment adoption, similar to dynamic languages. When working with the Go language, we use several IDEs.
Key Takeaways
- Go uses lightweight processes to enable concurrent processing to behave like a thread. The syntax of the go language mimics patterns seen in dynamic languages.
- The Go language favors the composition interface over the inheritance. In Go languages, there are multiple tools available.
What is Go Programming Language?
Go is an open-source programming language used for the general purpose of developing applications. Go language is explicit and statistically typed, modeled after C programming. This language was designed while taking the inspiration of relative simplicity and productivity by using the ability of C. Go will address some of the problems like uncontrolled dependencies, slow build time, and effort build time of writing the development of cross development.
Go programming works by utilizing the lightweight process of Goroutines, which allows for additional efficiencies. For efficient dependency management, Go uses a package collection. Go is used in organizations like CloudFare, dropbox, Google Netflix, MongoDB, and uber.
Why this Go Programming Language?
Go programming language includes a number of features such as package management, standard library, testing support, package management, and platform independence. The standard library of Go programming language is based on distributed packages. Package management refers to how the Go language manages user-based package management support. We use a small set of commands to publish the packages.
Static typing in Go language is nothing but the type system which was ensuring that compatibility and conversion avoiding the issues which come with languages which were dynamically typed. Go language is supported for running parallel while writing the code. As per the modular design of Go, it is compiled in any platform.
Go Programming Compiler
Go is a compiled language, which means we first need to compile the code before running it. We must run the source code file using a compiler, which reads the source code and generates an executable or binary file for the program to run. While writing a program in the Go language, it is converted into machine code, which is performed very quickly.
Below example shows how Go compiler works as follows:
The Go compiler offers multiple benefits.
Below are the benefits of using Go compiler.
- Optimization
- Error checking
- Ease of deployment
The Go compiler prevents unexpected errors from production and saves a lot of time for developers. The compiler helps us to detect the things like missing imports and invalid operations.
Below is the sample code from which we can see how Go compiler works.
Code:
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
fmt.Println ("Go compiler")
}Output:
In the above code, Go compiler does not find any error, so our code is successfully executed. In the below example, we can see that the Go compiler found a syntax error, so the code will not execute and will display the syntax error as shown below.
Code:
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
fmt.Println ("Go compiler)
}Output:
Syntax
Below syntax shows the package declaration as follows:
Syntax:
package main (package_name)
import ("fmt")
func function_name ()
{
//code
}Every Go code file consists above syntax.
Below is the parameter description as follows. It consists of four parts.
- Package declaration – In Go language, each program is a part of a package. We define the same by using the keyword name as a package. In the above syntax, we have defined the package name as main.
- Import packages – After declaring the packages, we need to import the specified files. In the above syntax, we have imported the fmt package.
- Functions – After importing the packages, we now define the main functions. While defining the function, any code into the curly braces is executed while calling the specified function.
- Expression and statements – We are defining the program code in the function body. This will define the code of our program.
Examples of Go Programming Language
Given below are the examples mentioned:
Example #1
Below is a simple example of Go language.
Code:
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
fmt.Println("Example of go language")
}Output:
Example #2
In the below example, we will see how to add two numbers as follows.
Code:
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
fmt.Println("10 + 10 =", 10 + 10)
}Output:
Example #3
In the below example, we are performing the multiplication of two numbers as follows.
Code:
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
fmt.Println("10 * 10 =", 10 * 10)
}Output:
Example #4
In the below example, we are performing the subtraction of two numbers as follows.
Code:
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
fmt.Println("100 - 10 =", 100 - 10)
}Output:
Go Programming Limitations
Below are the limitations of Go programming language as follows. Go language contains limitations.
- Go programming language contains poor library support also; it is hard to choose the framework.
- By using go language pro, we have not learned OOP because Go language contains its own way of doing this.
- GO language is a high-level language, but it will contain low-level features.
- The method interface of Go programming language is not supporting to the default implementation.
- The simplicity of Go language is appearing to be shallow as a result of inside irregularities.
- Go language needs to integrate with the machine dependencies, so it will require more storage.
- The RAM is congested while the server breakdown while receiving the code which contains the heavy version.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Go Programming Language
Given below are the advantages and disadvantages mentioned:
Advantages
- Quick compilation and execution speed – The execution and compilation speed of the Go language is fast.
- Virtual machine not needed – While executing the code of Go programming language, we have not required a virtual machine.
- Portability – The code of Go is portable, we can run it in any operating system.
- Support concurrency – The Go programming language supports concurrency while executing the code.
- Loosely coupled systems – We are enabling the interfaces into the system which was loosely coupled.
- Automatic garbage collection – The garbage collection of Go programming language is automatic.
- Memory safety – It is called memory safety.
- Error handling – We are handling the error independence by using Go programming language.
- Built-in libraries – The Go programming contains built-in libraries which we are using in our code.
Disadvantages
- Not supporting the generics – Go programing language does not support generic code, or it will contain the ability to write implicit or abstract code.
- Runtime safety – Go programming will contain the lack of runtime safety in the code which we are writing.
- Strict rules – The Go programming language enforces strict rules in our code.
- Not compatible with function overloading – Go programming language is not compatible with function overloading.
- Conventionally not object-oriented – The Go programming language is conventionally not object-oriented.
Features of Go Language
- Go language contains the binary at the time of building; it will provide the services of memory allocation.
- It does not contain the centrally hosted service for the dependencies of the program.
- It contains the call by value.
- It is open source, so anyone can download and install it on their own computer.
- Go is a statistical type of programming language, and it is working with the mechanism of compile coding.
- It is supporting to concurrency. It contains multiple concurrency options.
- The Go language will contain the power full tool set and standard library support.
- The Go programming language is offering exceptional power in garbage collection.
- It is easy to use; anyone can download and use this language.
FAQs
Given below are the FAQs mentioned:
Q1. What are the main features of the Go programming language?
Answer: The main feature of the Go programming language is open source, which means anyone can download and use this language.
Q2. By who and when was Go programming language developed?
Answer: It was developed in 2007 by rob Robert and ken at Google, and it is launched in 2009.
Q3. What is the use of a compiler in Go programming language?
Answer: We need to run the source code file by using a compiler, which reads the source code and generates an executable or binary file for the program to run.
Conclusion
Go will address some of the problems like uncontrolled dependencies, slow build time, and effort build time of writing the development of cross development. Go programming language introduction is a procedural language that was developed in 2007 by Robert, ken, and rob at Google, and it was launched in 2009 as an open-source programming language.
Recommended Articles
This is a guide to Go Programming Language. Here we discuss the introduction, Go programming compiler, examples, limitations, advantages, disadvantages, and features. You can also look at the following articles to learn more –
