I'm Coming Around To Go...

Theo - t3․gg24 minutes read

Go is a valuable programming language known for quick development and fast runtime performance, while Rust excels in runtime performance due to manual memory management. Despite Rust's benefits, Go's simplicity, consistency, and accessibility make it a strong choice for developers, especially when managing code and making changes.

Insights

  • Go is recognized for its value in programming despite initial doubts, known for enabling rapid development with fast runtime performance and excelling in compilation times compared to other languages.
  • The use of Rust for faster JavaScript and TypeScript compilers, despite its slower compilation times, raises questions about the trade-offs between Rust and Go, showcasing the unique position Go holds with its design for simplicity, consistency, and minimalism, appealing to developers of all levels.

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Recent questions

  • How is Go utilized in various tools and applications?

    Go is recognized as a valuable programming language that is utilized in various tools like es build, vest, and Docker. It enables quick development with fast runtime performance, excels in compilation times compared to other languages, and aims for simplicity, consistency, and minimalism in its design.

  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rust in terms of runtime performance?

    Rust outperforms other languages in runtime performance due to manual memory management, allowing for faster JavaScript and TypeScript compilers. However, the Borrow Checker in Rust can slow down iteration and massive changes, making pivoting and changing direction challenging.

  • How does Go handle concurrency and what are the potential challenges?

    Go's channel axioms for concurrency can be confusing and counterintuitive, leading to potential bugs due to its chaotic type system. However, garbage collection in Go simplifies managing code and making changes, especially for rigid tools like file readers and JSON parsers.

  • What is the proposed Arenas feature in Go and how does it aim to optimize performance?

    The proposed Arenas feature in Go aimed to optimize performance for core packages with stable inputs and outputs, potentially enhancing memory safety. Although this feature is currently on hold, it acknowledges the performance issues of garbage collection in Go and seeks to address them.

  • How does Go compare to Rust in terms of compilation and development of JavaScript compilers?

    ES Build, a fast JavaScript compiler built in Go, has seen significant success, while Rust-based JavaScript compilers have faced challenges in adoption and development. The author reflects on the potential benefits of JavaScript compilers being built in Go rather than Rust, highlighting the middle ground Go occupies between extreme performance and ease of use.

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Summary

00:00

"Go: Valuable, Fast, Simple, Confusing, Powerful"

  • Go is recognized as a valuable programming language, despite initial reservations.
  • Go is utilized in various tools like es build, vest, and Docker.
  • Go enables quick development with fast runtime performance.
  • Rust outperforms other languages in runtime performance due to manual memory management.
  • TypeScript allows for faster initial development but may result in slower code and maintenance.
  • Go excels in compilation times compared to other languages.
  • Rust is used to create faster JavaScript and TypeScript compilers despite its slow compilation times.
  • Go's design aims for simplicity, consistency, and minimalism, making it accessible to developers of all levels.
  • Go's type system can lead to bugs due to its chaotic nature.
  • Go's channel axioms for concurrency can be confusing and counterintuitive.

12:30

"Rust vs Go: Performance and Ease"

  • The Borrow Checker in Rust can slow down iteration and massive changes due to the need to bake intentions into the code, making pivoting and changing direction challenging.
  • Garbage collection in languages like Go simplifies managing code and making changes, especially for rigid tools like file readers and JSON parsers.
  • Go acknowledges that garbage collection isn't without performance issues, leading to the introduction of Arenas for core packages, although this feature is currently on hold.
  • The proposed Arenas feature in Go aimed to optimize performance for core packages with stable inputs and outputs, potentially enhancing memory safety.
  • Rust's adoption for tasks within Go's capabilities, like compilation, raises questions about the choice between the two languages.
  • ES Build, a fast JavaScript compiler built in Go, has seen significant success, while Rust-based JavaScript compilers have faced challenges in adoption and development.
  • The author reflects on the potential benefits of JavaScript compilers being built in Go rather than Rust, highlighting the middle ground Go occupies between extreme performance and ease of use.
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