Initially created by Google in 2007, Golang, more commonly known as Go, prioritises convenience, robustness, and speed. Users can access and modify its source code, as it is an open source programming language.
Open sourcing the project code in 2022 has greatly propelled its widespread usage, transforming it into one of the most celebrated programming languages currently available.
According to the Developer Ecosystem Survey 2022, Go is one of the top 10 major languages frequently used by professional developers. This article gives a concise introduction to the prevalent usages and benefits of Go, in addition to discussing key factors to consider when looking to employ a reputable Go developer.
What is the Purpose of Utilising Go?
Developed as a contender to Java and C++, Go primarily serves as a server-side programming language for network and infrastructure applications. Go was used to develop numerous reputable infrastructure programmes like Kubernetes, Docker, and Prometheus.
Even to this day, its most significant application is:
- Software hosted on either a cloud or server
- DevOps and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE)
- Data science, machine learning, and AI
What are the Benefits of Using Go?
Go’s increasing popularity stems from many reasons. Numerous benefits differentiate it from other popular programming languages:
Exceptionally Versatile
It’s possible to compile Go on any hardware and system, making it a suitable replacement for scripting languages and a robust rival to other compiled languages.
This programming language is highly adaptable and can be utilised in various domains, from online services and system/network programming to big data and machine learning.
Fast and Efficient
Go was initially designed to be a small, fast, and uncomplicated programming language.
Go-based high-performance applications can be scaled easily because the language is highly automatable.
Simple to comprehend and implement
Go’s simplistic structure makes it simple to pick up. Once you have a solid understanding of its fundamental concepts, including interfaces, Goroutines, and Go channels, you can commence developing with it.
Developers can make notable contributions in Go after only a short period of learning the basics of this programming language.
Excellent support for multiple threads of execution
To some, one of the most outstanding selling points of Golang is the language’s capability to support numerous threads of execution concurrently.
Concurrent processing is a vital aspect of contemporary computer programmes, enabling them to process multiple tasks concurrently and efficiently without wasting resources. However, implementing it can be a daunting challenge in many languages.
Go’s extensive concurrency capabilities and functionalities (including Goroutines and Go Channels) make it simple and elegant to construct conventional concurrency designs.
Discernible traits in a Golang Developer
For a successful Go developer, having efficient work habits, exceptional communication skills, and a thorough comprehension of the Go programming language’s basic principles and paradigms is crucial.
Familiarity with common Goroutine and channel patterns, knowledge of version control, and proficiency in documentation are vital technical abilities.
This article will cover the crucial attributes of a professional Go developer, encompassing both technical expertise and commercial acumen.
Competent comprehension and practical usage of Goroutines
A Goroutine refers to a software element that operates concurrently with other Goroutines, yet autonomously of each other.
As a result, it is possible to perform separate but concurrent operations with Go. This ensures that your programme continues to run efficiently, even if one of its activities is delayed or waiting for input.
According to John Biggs and Ben Popper from Stack Overflow, Go’s Goroutines feature is “worth the price of admission alone.”
A thorough comprehension of goroutine invocation and synchronisation is crucial for any aspiring Go developer to be able to build reliable, multi-threaded programmes.
Structures and patterns in Go Channels
A Go channel offers a method for various Goroutines to interact and synchronise the exchange of information between them. This methodology enables two Goroutines to regulate the timing of their mutual data exchange.
In other programming languages, when several threads in a programme demand simultaneous access to the same data, data is usually locked leading to difficulties with memory management.
Go employs Go channels to enable the transfer of data variables between threads, with both threads waiting for its delivery. This technique ensures thread synchronization without the necessity for variable locking.
An exemplary Golang programmer should possess an in-depth comprehension of both buffered and unbuffered Go channels and should be capable of utilising them efficiently to build conventional concurrent structures and frameworks, like condition variables and producer-consumer queues.
Insights from Godoc
Programming documentation can be exhibited and circulated to users in any language. Additionally, Go comments are not confined to only describing the text.
Arguably the most remarkable of these is Godoc, Go’s built-in assistance system.
Godoc scans the complete Go source code for comments and then utilises them to prepare the documentation for a specific Go package in HTML or plain text format.
As a result of this, it is uncomplicated to produce user documentation that correlates intimately with the pertinent code; for instance, using the online platform of Godoc, one can easily switch between the portrayal and implementation of a function.
Go developers ought to be well-versed in composing distinct and efficient Godoc comments, in addition to comprehending how Godoc examines comments (such as supplementing package-level comments while excluding lower levels) and formats them while translating to HTML.
I would recommend using certain templates.
An elementary model language, Go Templates enables the modification of outcomes like web pages, electronic mails, etc.
Packages text/template and html/template can be employed to produce text and HTML outputs, correspondingly.
Developers must be versed in Go template syntax, management structures, examining templates from files, verification and implementation of templates, and various other related duties.
Tools for producing versions
Although not associated primarily with Go, proficiency in version control systems is crucial.
Version control is a method that facilitates tracing and recovery of the version history of a codebase. It empowers engineers to work jointly on the same codebase with minimal disturbance and maximum lucidity.
Therefore, programmers working with contemporary programming languages must possess knowledge of version control. Mastery over the prevalent version control systems like Git, SVN, Mercurial, etc., is indispensable for each technical team.
Experience of working independently and in a corporate environment
For a Go developer, it is imperative to not only comprehend the syntax and basics of the language but also have apt communication and teamwork abilities vital for successful collaboration with colleagues, both in-house and geographically dispersed.
Due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the significance of remote work has escalated enormously. Hiring strategies have been modified, and remote work has now become the standard, leading software teams to search for specialized skills from overseas.
Here are some of the most crucial attributes to keep an eye out for:
Clarity in expressing oneself
For any software developer, effective communication is indispensable to maximize their technical abilities, like documentation and version control.
The Go developer must be capable of expressing their task progression, estimating the timeline for completion, comprehending how their work correlates with that of other team members, and identifying any potential hindrances to progress.
Management, process, and workflow monitoring
Outstanding organizational skills is a robust skill complementing effective communication.
Supervising development processes and tasks is a prerequisite. These can be managed and administered via tracking tools, such as version control and backlog management at both team and code levels.
Experience with appropriate tools, such as Trello or Jira, Kanban-style applications or enterprise-grade tracking and project management software, can be advantageous for prospering in this role.
Are you prepared to recruit a Go programmer?
Apart from the technical aptitudes noted earlier, an extraordinary Go developer will also possess modern-day requirements such as business acumen and experience of working remotely as a part of a team.
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