Commit cdcb0413 authored by Russ Cox's avatar Russ Cox

language design FAQ edits

R=r
http://go/go-review/1026019
parent 213bd39a
...@@ -9,15 +9,19 @@ Robert Griesemer, Rob Pike and Ken Thompson started sketching the ...@@ -9,15 +9,19 @@ Robert Griesemer, Rob Pike and Ken Thompson started sketching the
goals for a new language on the white board on September 21, 2007. goals for a new language on the white board on September 21, 2007.
Within a few days the goals had settled into a plan to do something Within a few days the goals had settled into a plan to do something
and a fair idea of what it would be. Design continued part-time in and a fair idea of what it would be. Design continued part-time in
parallel with unrelated activities. By January 2008, Ken had started work parallel with unrelated work. By January 2008, Ken had started work
on a compiler with which to explore ideas; it generated C code as its on a compiler with which to explore ideas; it generated C code as its
output. By mid-year the language had become a full-time project and output. By mid-year the language had become a full-time project and
had settled enough to attempt a production compiler. Meanwhile, Ian had settled enough to attempt a production compiler. In May 2008,
Taylor had read the draft specification and written an independent GCC Ian Taylor independently started on a GCC front end for Go using the
front end. Russ Cox joined in late 2008 and helped move the language draft specification. Russ Cox joined in late 2008 and helped move the language
and libraries from prototype to reality. and libraries from prototype to reality.
</p> </p>
<p>
Many others have contributed ideas, discussions, and code.
</p>
<h3 id="creating_a_new_language"> <h3 id="creating_a_new_language">
Why are you creating a new language?</h3> Why are you creating a new language?</h3>
<p> <p>
...@@ -189,7 +193,7 @@ as objects get passed among threads it becomes cumbersome ...@@ -189,7 +193,7 @@ as objects get passed among threads it becomes cumbersome
to guarantee they become freed safely. to guarantee they become freed safely.
Automatic garbage collection makes concurrent code far easier to write. Automatic garbage collection makes concurrent code far easier to write.
Of course, implementing garbage collection in a concurrent environment is Of course, implementing garbage collection in a concurrent environment is
itself a challenge but meeting it once rather than in every itself a challenge, but meeting it once rather than in every
program helps everyone. program helps everyone.
</p> </p>
<p> <p>
...@@ -230,7 +234,7 @@ libraries. They are, by definition, exceptional yet experience with ...@@ -230,7 +234,7 @@ libraries. They are, by definition, exceptional yet experience with
other languages that support them show they have profound effect on other languages that support them show they have profound effect on
library and interface specification. It would be nice to find a design library and interface specification. It would be nice to find a design
that allows them to be truly exceptional without encouraging common that allows them to be truly exceptional without encouraging common
errors to turn into special control flow requiring every programmer to errors to turn into special control flow that requires every programmer to
compensate. compensate.
</p> </p>
<p> <p>
...@@ -265,7 +269,7 @@ in an interface can express useful concepts. ...@@ -265,7 +269,7 @@ in an interface can express useful concepts.
Interfaces can be added after the fact if a new idea comes along Interfaces can be added after the fact if a new idea comes along
or for testing&mdash;without annotating the original types. or for testing&mdash;without annotating the original types.
Because there are no explicit relationships between types Because there are no explicit relationships between types
and interfaces, there is no type hierarchy to manage. and interfaces, there is no type hierarchy to manage or discuss.
</p> </p>
<p> <p>
It's possible to use these ideas to construct something analogous to It's possible to use these ideas to construct something analogous to
...@@ -338,7 +342,7 @@ structure that providing one excellent implementation with syntactic support ...@@ -338,7 +342,7 @@ structure that providing one excellent implementation with syntactic support
makes programming more pleasant. We believe that Go's implementation of maps makes programming more pleasant. We believe that Go's implementation of maps
is strong enough that it will serve for the vast majority of uses. is strong enough that it will serve for the vast majority of uses.
If a specific application can benefit from a custom implementation, it's possible If a specific application can benefit from a custom implementation, it's possible
to write one but it will not be as convenient to use; this seems a reasonable tradeoff. to write one but it will not be as convenient syntactically; this seems a reasonable tradeoff.
</p> </p>
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