Why it’s Worth Using Golang (Go) for Your Project

What do Docker and Kubernetes have in common? There are a few things, but one of them is the fact that they both take advantage of the Go (or Golang) programming language. Consider Q1 2023 Go Developer Survey conducted among 5,844 respondents. When asked, “How satisfied or dissatisfied have you been using Go during the past year?” a staggering 92% answered “Satisfied,” once again proving that Go remains one of the most robust and programming-friendly languages out there that works well with cloud-native development, stand-alone tools and distributed network services.

In this article, we’ll explore what Golang is used for, why it’s an excellent choice for application development and how promising its future looks.

What is Golang?

Golang, (we will refer to it as that), is an open source, statically typed, compiled programming language designed for building efficient, reliable and scalable software. It was developed by Google in 2007 and released to the public as an open-source project in 2009. Go, often referred to as Golang, has emerged as a powerful and versatile choice for software development. Created by Google engineers Robert Griesemer, Rob Pike and Ken Thompson, the Golang open-source programming language has gained popularity due to its simplicity, efficiency and robustness. As a result, Golang has beenwidely adopted in various domains, from web development to system programming.

Seven Advantages of Using Golang (Go)

Speed and Efficiency

Golang is known for its remarkable speed and efficiency. Compiling directly to machine code allows it to run exceptionally fast, which makes it an ideal choice for applications where performance is critical. Its lightweight goroutines provide a way to execute concurrent code efficiently, which enables developers to build highly modern and scalable systems.

Simplicity and readability

One of Golang’s fundamental principles is simplicity. Its clean and minimalist syntax reduces the learning curve for developers, as it is easy to read and write code. Golang’s simplicity promotes code maintainability, reduces the likelihood of errors and enhances collaboration among development teams.

Strong standard library

Golang boasts a comprehensive standard library that covers a wide range of functionalities, from networking and cryptography to data manipulation and web development. This rich standard library simplifies development by providing readily available tools and packages, thereby reducing the need to rely on third-party libraries.

Cross-platform compatibility

By supporting cross-compilation, Golang enables developers to easily build applications for various platforms and architectures. This feature is particularly advantageous when targeting multiple platforms, since it ensures applications run consistently across different environments.

Scalability

Scalability is a critical aspect of modern custom software development, and Golang excels in this regard. Its concurrent programming model, aided by goroutines and channels, enables developers to create highly scalable applications that efficiently handle thousands of simultaneous connections or tasks.

Community support

Golang has a thriving and enthusiastic community of developers who actively contribute to its ecosystem. Vibrant Golang community support results in a wealth of resources, libraries and frameworks that can help streamline development and solve typical programming issues.

Effective error handling

Golang’s approach to error handling is explicit. It encourages developers to handle errors at the point of occurrence, which reduces the likelihood of silent failures and makes it easier to identify and resolve issues during development.

Golang vs C#

Golang is renowned for its exceptional performance and built-in support for concurrency. Its lightweight goroutines enable developers to execute multiple tasks concurrently, making it particularly suitable for applications that demand high performance and scalability. While C# also offers solid performance, it may not match the raw speed of Golang in specific scenarios. Here is a diagram that supports such claims:

Tomasz Sikora/Linkedin (source)

Is Golang good for application development?

As a developer, the answer is yes. Golang is an excellent choice for application development, particularly for projects where speed, efficiency and scalability are essential. The combination of simplicity, performance and concurrency features makes it a powerful tool for building robust and scalable applications. Static typing and error handling enable developers to catch bugs early in the development process. Additionally, the built-in language support for concurrency allows for efficient utilization of multicore and network systems, making it well suited for handling heavy workloads. Even though Golang is not a game, it follows Bushnell law, which goes as follows “easy to learn, difficult to master,” so switching from any Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) language will not be a problem. Whether you are building a web application, microservices, or a high-performance backend, Golang’s features and capabilities make it a competitive option.

Does Golang (Go) have a future?

Golang’s future looks promising. Its growing community, strong performance characteristics and suitability for modern development paradigms like microservices and cloud-native applications position it well for continued adoption. Moreover, major technology companies such as Google, Dropbox and Uber have successfully integrated Golang into their tech stacks, further cementing its place in the software development landscape.

Google’s powerful programming language can provide a competitive edge to your software development projects. Its speed, simplicity, scalability and robust standard library make it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications. As the software development landscape continues to evolve, Golang’s future remains bright, as it is a compelling choice for developers and organizations looking to stay ahead in the competitive world of technology.

If you’re looking for experienced Golang developers to join your team, consider outsourcing to a proven company with talented engineers who constantly hone their skills. Use our contact form to find out how our Golang teams can ramp up your software delivery.