Google created the Go programming language (also known as Golang) to improve software development speed, lower the cost of developing software, and make it easier to read. Go programming language is well suited to building interfaces for command-line applications and utilities requiring plenty of input from the user.
While it’s fast and efficient, Go is relatively new, so only a few good learning resources are available. And so, it may take some time before there is enough content to make learning quicker.
If you want to escape the limited scope and libraries of the Go programming language, the following are the top 10 alternatives.
Python is an easy-to-learn, multi-purpose programming language. This language is especially popular with web developers and data scientists because of its clean syntax, readability, and flexibility. In addition, Python supports object-oriented programming and is well suited for building large applications.
Go programming language has a smaller set of dependencies than Python. If a library you need isn’t available for Go, you’ll quickly get stranded. However, Python has a vast ecosystem of third-party libraries that make it easy to start quickly. Python is also fast because it is based on dynamic typing, and you don’t need to declare types at the outset like in Go.
Java is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems in the mid-1990s. Java is platform-independent, meaning you can use it to create applications for Windows, Mac, mobile devices, and embedded systems.
Many programmers prefer Java to the Go programming language because of its power and flexibility. Since it supports multiple platforms, programmers can deploy Java on different environments and servers without needing additional software. Moreover, Java has an extensive pre-built code library that programmers can use as a starting point.
JavaScript
JavaScript is a lightweight, interpreted programming language used to create dynamic frontends for web and mobile applications. This programming language is a subset of Java. Both are compiled, interpreted, and object-oriented languages but have very different syntaxes and runtime environments.
An essential advantage of JavaScript is its ability to interact with the DOM (Document Object Model), which enables users to modify the HTML of a page without requiring any additional code. Another reason some developers prefer JavaScript to the Go programming language is that the former’s framework allows sending data to servers without reloading a page.
C (Programming Language)
C is a general-purpose programming language with broad applications. Programmers commonly use C to write programs that control hardware like computers, robots, satellites, and other electronic devices. This programming language is also suitable for straightforward tasks that don’t require much computing power and memory — like running simulations.
C is more challenging to learn than the Go programming language. C can be easier to learn if you have experience with other programming languages. If you have little programming experience, it would be best to master a more straightforward programming language before trying out C.
C++
C++ is useful for applications that require complex features, such as real-time algorithms, graphics processing, and large datasets. Bjarne Stroustrup of Bell Laboratories developed C++ as an extension of the C programming language. And so, the language inherits many similar elements, including syntax and basic data types. The language also comprises unique features such as object-oriented programming and support for memory management.
Unlike the Go programming language, C++ has a reputation for being difficult to learn. The language isn’t easy because of its multi-paradigm nature and more advanced syntax. But this perception holds more weight for beginners than people with considerable programming knowledge.
Haskell
In 1995, Larry Wall created an imperative programming language and named it after his son, Haskell. Like many modern programming languages, Haskell uses a simple syntax and a concise vocabulary to express computation. Haskell is particularly suited to scripting, as it allows developers to write small programs that serve as building blocks to larger tasks.
Haskel emphasizes safety and correctness through type checking and static typing. Therefore, the code tends to be more reliable than the Go programming language. Besides being a programming language, Haskell is also a research paradigm.
Rust
Rust is an open-source programming language primarily used to develop applications requiring speed and efficiency. The language is designed to be memory safe, preventing you from accidentally running into memory errors that can cause your program to crash. This property makes Rust an excellent choice for applications running in a resource-constrained environment like mobile devices or IoT devices.
Also, Rust is efficient for processing bulky data and other CPU-intensive operations like executing algorithms, which gives it an edge over the Go programming language.
Node.JS
Node.JS is a JavaScript runtime environment that programmers use to create server-side applications. The aim of developing this language was to provide an easy way to build web applications in JavaScript, but Node.JS has become much more than that. Programmers use Node.JS for projects like building web servers and APIs and writing desktop apps.
Node.JS is also an excellent choice for building scalable web applications because of its speed and lightweight. It makes handling AJAX requests and rendering HTML on the front end easy. This feature makes it a good tool for creating responsive user interfaces.
PHP (Hypertext Processor) is an open-source general-purpose scripting language that serves as a server-side technology. PHP handles various tasks, from simple data processing to complex web application development. The language is useful for building dynamic websites and applications that must be quickly deployed and updated.
Some programmers prefer PHP over the Go programming language because it offers a high level of flexibility when building sophisticated applications. PHP provides extensive libraries that make it easy to integrate various online services into your projects, such as payment processing, user registration, and file storage.
Ruby
Ruby is a dynamic, interpreted, general-purpose programming language focusing on simplicity and productivity. Ruby is widely used in web development because of its powerful collections library, which makes working with maps, arrays, sets, and hashes easy.
The programming language also has a steep learning curve, making it less suitable for large or legacy projects. However, as you become more experienced with Ruby, you will be able to exploit more of its strengths and fill in the gaps where it falls short of creating robust applications.
To sum up
You can take your pick from the above languages based on your skills and project requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Go programming language worth learning in 2022?
Of course, the Go programming language is still worth learning in 2022. Go’s ease of learning and scalability make it an ideal language choice for beginners and people seeking long-lasting careers as developers.
What language is most similar to Golang?
Python is one of the most similar codes to the Go programming language. Both languages are ideal for beginners because they are easy to learn.
Is Go programming language better than Python?
Go vs Python: both languages have pros and cons; while Python is best suited for solving data science problems, Go is excellent for system programming.
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10 Alternatives to Go Programming Language in 2022
Description
Go programming language has many alternatives you may want to learn. They include Python, Java, Javascript, PHP, Node.js, Ruby, and Rust. Read on to learn more.
Finidi is a writer who takes pride in writing meaningful and engaging content. He has worked for brands across verticals like Auslogics Software, Revioly, etc.
