Introduction #
What is GoLang? #
Go (or Golang) is a cross-platform, open-source programming language designed for simplicity, performance, and productivity.
It is a fast, statically typed, compiled language known for its simplicity and efficiency.
- Go was developed at Google by Robert Griesemer, Rob Pike, and Ken Thompson in 2007.
- Go’s syntax is similar to C++.
- It can be used to create high-performance applications across different platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, etc.).
What is Go Used For? #
- Web development (server-side)
- Developing network-based programs
- Developing cross-platform enterprise applications
- Cloud-native development
Why Use GoLang? #
- Go is fun and easy to learn
- Fast run time and compilation time
- Supports concurrency via goroutines and channels
- Memory management with automatic garbage collection
- Cross-platform support (Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, etc.)
Go Compared to Python and C++ #
| Feature | Go | Python | C++ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typing | Statically typed | Dynamically typed | Statically typed |
| Run Time | Fast | Slow | Fast |
| Compilation | Compiled | Interpreted | Compiled |
| Compile Time | Fast | Interpreted | Slow |
| Concurrency | Goroutines and channels | No built-in mechanism | Threads |
| Garbage Collection | Automatic | Automatic | No GC |
| Classes & Objects | No | Yes | Yes |
| Inheritance | No | Yes | Yes |
Notes #
- Compilation time refers to translating code into an executable program.
- Concurrency means performing multiple tasks out-of-order or at the same time without affecting the final result.
- Statically typed means variable types are known at compile time.