Carl Christian Sautter

Recently, I had the opportunity to dive deeper into Go. Not long ago, Go was mostly known on my radar as a "superfast" programming language, particularly suited for (web) servers. However, because I’d been working with other tech stacks in recent years, switching to Go “overnight” wasn’t an option. As a result, my experience was limited to writing a few lines of Go code here and there. That said, coding in Go felt familiar from the start, and I suspect that any experienced developer with a background in a C-family language like Java, PHP, JavaScript, or C++ could intuitively write basic Go code.

But is Go really like every other mainstream programming language? My answer would be both yes and no. Depending on your experience, you might initially think, “I recognize this concept from language X” or feel that certain features are missing. Personally, I found myself needing to "reprogram" my thinking, particularly around the approach to Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). I was used to OOP-heavy languages, so when I started developing a Go REST backend, my first instinct was to map my usual OOP patterns to Go. However, Go does not support inheritance or enforced interface implementation, which highlights key differences from widely adopted languages like Java or PHP.

So, is Go an object-oriented language? The answer is complex. Go has types, methods, and allows for an object-oriented style, but it lacks a type hierarchy. Interfaces in Go are implemented implicitly, meaning that you define them by specifying methods, and the compiler automatically matches any compatible struct to those interfaces.

Why, then, would someone create a programming language that seemingly offers fewer features than existing market leaders?

To answer this, we need to look back at Go’s inception in 2007. The programming landscape was different, and Go was born out of frustration with the existing languages and environments at Google. Programming had become overly complex, and developers often had to choose between efficient compilation, efficient execution, or ease of use. No single mainstream language offered all three. Go tackled these challenges by combining the simplicity of an interpreted, dynamically-typed language with the efficiency and safety of a statically-typed, compiled language.

The primary goals of the Go project were to reduce the slowness and complexity of software development at Google, making the process more productive and scalable. Go was created by and for people who write, read, debug, and maintain large-scale software systems. Its focus is not to advance programming language theory, but to improve the working environment for its designers and their coworkers. In essence, Go prioritizes language design in service of practical software engineering over academic research.

Why Developers Love Go: Key Benefits of Using Golang

In the world of programming languages, Go (or Golang) stands out as a modern, pragmatic choice that’s winning the hearts of developers and organizations alike. Created by Google in 2009, Go has grown into a powerhouse for building scalable, efficient software, especially in cloud-native and backend development. But what exactly makes Go so special? Let’s dive into its key benefits and why developers love working with it.

Simplicity Meets Power

Go’s philosophy is all about simplicity. Its creators intentionally avoided adding complex features like inheritance or generics (though generics were introduced later in Go 1.18 in a very Go-like, straightforward way). This simplicity ensures that Go code is clean, easy to read, and quick to learn.

As a developer, you spend less time untangling confusing abstractions and more time building. Whether you're new to programming or a seasoned engineer, Go’s approachable syntax feels like a breath of fresh air.

Concurrency Made Easy

In today’s world of multi-core processors and distributed systems, concurrency isn’t optional—it’s essential. Go’s secret weapon is goroutines, lightweight threads that make concurrent programming almost effortless. Need to handle thousands of simultaneous tasks? Goroutines let you do that without breaking a sweat.

Complementing goroutines are channels, a safe way to communicate between them. This combination gives developers an intuitive toolkit for writing concurrent and parallel programs, perfect for applications like web servers or data processing pipelines.

Performance without annoying problems

Go strikes a balance between raw performance and developer productivity. It’s a compiled language, meaning your code is converted directly into machine code, making it blazing fast. Yet, it also includes modern conveniences like garbage collection, so you don’t have to worry about manual memory management as you would in C or C++.

The result? You get near-C-level performance without sacrificing ease of development.

A Standard Library That Packs a Punch

One of Go’s standout features is its rich standard library. It covers most of the basics you’ll need for everyday development:

• HTTP servers are just a few lines of code.
• JSON encoding/decoding is built-in.
• Tools for file I/O, string manipulation, and even cryptography are ready to go out of the box.

This means you spend less time hunting for third-party libraries and more time focusing on your actual project.

Built for the Cloud

Go is practically synonymous with cloud-native development. Tools like Docker and Kubernetes, which have revolutionized how we build and deploy applications, were written in Go. Its small, statically linked binaries make deploying Go applications to containers and cloud environments seamless.

If you’re building microservices or working in DevOps, Go feels like it was made for the job—and it kind of was.

Lightning-Fast Compilation

Ever worked with a language where compiling the code feels like waiting for paint to dry? With Go, those days are over. Go’s compilation speed is remarkably fast, even for large codebases. This quick feedback loop keeps you in the zone, making development feel snappy and iterative.

Batteries Included: The Built-in Toolchain

Go’s built-in tools are like having a Swiss Army knife in your pocket. Need to format your code? Just run go fmt. Want to write tests? Use go test. Managing dependencies? go mod has your back.

Everything you need for a streamlined development process is included, reducing reliance on external tools and ensuring consistency across projects.

The Deployment Dream: Small, Static Binaries

When it’s time to ship your Go application, you’ll appreciate its ability to produce small, statically linked binaries. These self-contained executables can run on your target platform without requiring additional dependencies, simplifying deployment and making your life easier.

The Growing Go Ecosystem

Go’s rise in popularity means you’re never alone. It boasts a vibrant community, tons of open-source libraries, and excellent documentation. Major companies like Google, Netflix, Uber, and Dropbox rely on Go for their critical systems, so you’re in good company when you choose this language.

Future-Proof Your Career

As the software industry continues to embrace cloud-native technologies, Go is positioned as a key language for modern development. Learning Go not only enhances your productivity but also makes you a valuable asset in the job market.

Final Thoughts: Is Go Right for You?

Go is not a one-size-fits-all language, but for many use cases—like backend services, cloud-native apps, and DevOps tools—it’s hard to beat. Its simplicity, performance, and modern features make it an excellent choice for both developers and organizations looking to build fast, reliable, and scalable software.

If you haven’t tried Go yet, there’s no better time to start. Once you experience its ease of use and powerful features, you might just join the growing crowd of developers who swear by it.