Module 1: Introduction to Go
Detailed Topics:
Why Go?
Go is a modern programming language designed for simplicity, performance, and strong support for concurrency. It is widely used for:
Web Development: Frameworks like Gin and Echo make building web applications straightforward.
Microservices: Its lightweight nature and scalability are ideal for microservices architecture.
Cloud-Native Applications: Go’s efficiency and compatibility with tools like Docker and Kubernetes make it a popular choice for cloud-native solutions.
Examples 1:
Companies like Google, Uber, and Netflix use Go for its performance and scalability.
Go’s concurrency model (goroutines and channels) allows building highly efficient systems, such as a chat server or a task queue.
Setting Up the Go Environment
Install Go:
Download and install Go from the official website.
Verify the installation by running
go versionin your terminal.
Set Up
$GOPATH:Configure the
$GOPATHenvironment variable to specify your workspace.Typically, the workspace directory contains three subfolders:
src,pkg, andbin.
Choose an IDE:
Visual Studio Code: Install the Go extension for linting, autocompletion, and debugging.
GoLand: A full-featured IDE designed specifically for Go development.
Examples 2:
After installation, create a project structure:
mkdir -p $GOPATH/src/hello cd $GOPATH/src/helloOpen your IDE and start coding!
Writing Your First Go Program
Step-by-Step Guide:
Create a file named
main.go.Add the following code:
package main import "fmt" func main() { fmt.Println("Hello, World!") }Run the program using
go run main.go.
Explanation of Structure:
package main: Defines the package as executable.import "fmt": Imports thefmtpackage for formatted I/O.func main(): The entry point of the program.
Examples 3:
Modify the program to print your name:
fmt.Println("Hello, [Your Name]!")
Key Differences with Other Languages
Static Typing and Simplicity:
Go is statically typed, ensuring type safety at compile time.
Minimalistic design avoids unnecessary complexity.
No Inheritance:
Go uses composition instead of inheritance, promoting code reuse and modularity.
Built-in Garbage Collection:
Automates memory management, reducing manual errors like memory leaks.
Examples 4:
A comparison of loops:
Go:
for i := 0; i < 5; i++ { fmt.Println(i) }Python:
for i in range(5): print(i)
Detailed Hands-On
Configure Go Environment Variables and Workspace
Create Directories:
mkdir -p $GOPATH/src/myprojectEdit Environment Variables:
Add
$GOPATH/binto your$PATH.Verify by running
echo $GOPATH.
Write, Run, and Compile the "Hello, World!" Program
Write:
Use any text editor or IDE to create
main.go.
Run:
go run main.goCompile:
go build main.go ./main
Explore Commands
Format Code:
go fmt main.goRun Tests (Optional):
Write a simple test file
main_test.go.package main import "testing" func TestHello(t *testing.T) { want := "Hello, World!" got := "Hello, World!" if got != want { t.Errorf("got %q, want %q", got, want) } }Run tests:
go test