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My 2c: Go is incredibly convenient for non-programmers. I don't make a living writing software, I make a living answering quantitative questions, using computer
by drej 10y ago
My 2c: Go is incredibly convenient for non-programmers. I don't make a living writing software, I make a living answering quantitative questions, using computers. I use Python for most tasks, but when I need extra performance and/or portability, I grab Go every single time.
The main appeal is the quality standard library that covers most things I get in contact with. I could get immersed in it right away, because I didn't spend weeks trying to read the spec - the spec itself is so trivial it's mindblowing. The standard library feels very Pythonic in terms of reach. I've built tiny servers, parsed plethora of file formats, calculated maths, wrote data, (de)compressed stuff, encrypted things, ... The joy of not having to worry about 3rd party dependencies for all these is quite refreshing. And the appeal of few runtime issues thanks to static compilation is oh so excellent.
Sure, Go didn't invent any of these practices and sure, it doesn't have generics, runtime assembly, it's opinionated in a few places, its vendoring is subpar, ... But when you're someone who isn't really a programmer, these things don't matter much. I'm not here for the hype, I'm here for the productivity and ease of use.
- 0xmohit 10y agoPackaging in Go is bound to improve in the coming releases. You can follow Go Package Management list: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/go-package-management https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/go-package-managemen...
- sqrt 10y ago> I've built tiny servers, parsed plethora of file formats, calculated maths, wrote data, (de)compressed stuff, encrypted things, ... If you've written code to do all those things, I think you'd be justified in calling yourself a programmer, even if software isn't your main gig. :)
- misiti3780 10y agojust curious, why write file parsers in go rather than say, python i would think python would be easier.
- bigato 10y agoIf you are not a programmer, I don't know who else is.
- bbatha 10y agoGo is the VB, or the PHP of service development. Lots of obvious and immediate shortcomings, but with just the right amount of niceties for its domain in a very easy to teach and deploy package.
- stcredzero 10y agoBut with much more savvy language design than either of those.
- jasonwatkinspdx 10y agoNot only are you a programmer, you are clearly more aware and capable than many, many, people who consider themselves professional programmers.