Go Programming Language: Features, Applications, and Limitations

Swift, simple and scalable - In the world of Programming Languages, these are the three dream features developers seek to alleviate their workload. In that context, Go Programming is the go-to choice. Developed by Google, this Programming Language is known for its simplicity, efficiency, and concurrency support. It's widely used in Cloud Computing, web development and large-scale software systems.

This blog dissects the reasons why, as a developer, Go Programming should be at the top of your Programming Language tier list. So read on, learn its benefits and quirks, and leverage this powerful tool for your next tech project!

Table of Content

1) What is Go Programming Language?

2) History of Go Programming Language  

3) Features of Go Programming Language

4) Applications of Go Programming Language

5) Benefits of Go Programming Language

6) Limitations of Go Programming Language  

7) Conclusion

What is Go Programming Language?

Go (also known as Golang or Go language) is an open-source Programming Language developed by Google. Software developers use Go in various operating systems (OS) and frameworks to develop Cloud and networking services, web applications and other types of software.

Go is statically typed and modelled after the C Programming Language. Due to its low runtime overhead, fast startup time, and ability to run without a virtual machine (VM), it has become popular for writing microservices and other uses. Additionally, Go is used for concurrent programming, a strategy for executing multiple tasks simultaneously, out of order or in partial order.

History of Go Programming Language 

Google created Go to solve its software engineering issues and deliver an alternative to C++. At the time, a language with higher productivity levels was necessary as multicore processors became more popular. Here's its brief history:

1) Google began designing Go in 2007 with the goal of creating an easier-to-use Programming Language that retained the useful characteristics of other languages, such as C++, JavaScript, and Python.

2) Go was announced in 2009 as an open-source project where community members can collaborate on ideas and code.

3) Version 1.0 was later released in 2012.

4) Over the years, new features and updates were added, such as generics in 2022. Go's popularity has continued to grow as high-profile companies, including Google, Netflix, SoundCloud, Cloudflare, Dropbox, MongoDB, Twitch and Uber use it.

Features of Go Programming Language 

The Go Programming Language comes with many attractive features for developers. Here are some of them:

1) Simplicity: This language has a clean, clear, and organised syntax.

2) Easy to Use: Go is designed to make life easy for developers.

3) Compatibility: As with many other languages, Go is compatible with Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, and FreeBSD systems.

4) Open Source: Go enables external users to develop new libraries and programs.

5) Compiled Language: Go's source code can be compiled to create machine code to run the program.

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Applications of Go Programming Language 

If you’re seeking a new language to add to your tech stack, Go is an excellent option. There are plenty of reasons to develop Go programming skills. Its versatile can be applied in a variety of settings, including the following:

1) Cloud Services

Many organisations have moved on traditional IT environments and embraced the Cloud. One popular Cloud service is Google Cloud, built on Go and provides scalability and high performance. Other Cloud services, including SendGrid and Dropbox also use Go.

2) Online Booking

Uber has used Go to build many of its services. For example, Go helps Uber load maps more quickly and match drivers to riders. Trivago and Delivery Hero are among the other prominent users of Go.

3) Finance Companies

Several finance companies have used Go. Capital One used it to develop its Credit Offers API, while American Express used it to modernise its payment and rewards networks.  PayPal utilises Go to simplify coding and improve the performance of its payment platform.

4) Cyber Security

Go’s usefulness in Cloud and server environments makes it an ideal fit for Cyber Security. Many applications for saving passwords and various other sensitive information, us Go for its Administrator Tools back-end server. This enables administrators who use these applications for business to manage and recover accounts easily.

5) Music and Video

Go is highly efficient and supports the most frequently used file and encoding formats, making it an excellent choice for streaming video and music. SoundCloud, for example, maintains around six services and more than a dozen repositories written in Go.

6) Chatting and Messaging

Twitch utilises Go for its chat, which facilitates hundreds of billions of messages daily. Its Search and Discover services, Web APIs, revenue systems, and administrative tools are also, in part, written in Go.

7) Gaming

Some of Go’s existing libraries (tools for simplifying code) were developed for gaming, including Nano, a game server library, making Go a popular choice for gaming companies. Additionally, it has excellent third-party support.

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Benefits of Go Programming Language 

Go Programming Language offers numerous benefits, including the following:

1) It's a concurrent language that supports CSP communication channels.

2) It is an innovative language that takes the best of modern languages to forge an efficient, clear, and simple one.

3) Its garbage collector allows you to maximise efficiency and performance and minimises latency.

4) It has an active network of developers contributing tools, libraries, and resources.

5) It is ideal for building scalable systems that can handle large volumes of concurrent requests.

6) It strongly emphasises security and error prevention. Its compiler conducts extensive static checks at compile time, helping catch common errors before the app is executed.

7) It comes with a comprehensive standard library providing a wide range of functionality, enabling you to build applications without relying heavily on external libraries.

Limitations of Go Programming Language 

Despite its many advantages, Go Programming carries a baggage of drawbacks as well as detailed below:

1) Go is still a young language compared to other more established languages. This means that the community may still be developing best practices and standard solutions in certain areas.

2) In some specific domains, there may be fewer mature and widely adopted libraries than in other, more established languages. Implementing specific functionality may require more effort and time.

3) In specific scenarios, manual memory management may be required to optimise performance. This necessitates increased attention and knowledge on the part of the developer.

4) Go uses composition instead of class inheritance. Despite its flexibility, it can be a challenge for those used to a more traditional inheritance paradigm.

5) Debugging is a common way to handle exceptional situations. However, it can be less intuitive for those used to traditional exception-handling mechanisms.

6) It may not be the best option for all use cases. For example, other specialised languages might be more appropriate if manipulation of complex scientific data or high mathematical computational ability is required.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Go Programming Language is a dynamic tool that excels in speed, simplicity and concurrency, making it ideal for Cloud services, web development and more. While it carries some limitations compared to newer Programming Languages, its benefits significantly outweigh its drawbacks. Whether you are an aspiring programmer, or a seasoned developers, Go's performance and versatility is worth exploring.

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