Google tries to speed up programming with a new language: Go

November 10, 2009 | Anthony Ha | Comments | |

go logoA team of Googlers just announced a project called Go — it’s a new, experimental programming language that Google is making available as open source at the Go website.

The Go team says its big programming frustration has been the slowness of existing languages. Go changes that by compiling (i.e., turning programming code into an executable file) complex programs in a few seconds or less. Other features include the ability to use multicore processors to perform parallel tasks, and “garbage collection,” a system for managing memory issues.

Go started out as one of Google’s “20 percent projects,” ideas outside their regular job that Googlers are given time to pursue, but it has now graduated into a full-blown project, according to CNET. The language is still too young for the company to use in any of its core products, but it could eventually be used for server software and software in the browser.

Here’s a demo video.

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About the Author, Anthony Ha

Anthony is VentureBeat's assistant editor, as well as its reporter on enterprise technology, cloud computing, and tech policy. Before joining VentureBeat in 2008, Anthony worked at the Hollister Free Lance, where he won awards from the California Newspaper Publishers Association for breaking news coverage and writing. He attended Stanford University and now lives in San Francisco. Reach him at anthony@venturebeat.com. You can also follow Anthony on Twitter.

  • thetechnologycafe
    First the Admob acquisition then the droid phone , in my perspective now adding a programming language to this months top googly news, Google is trying to completely dominate the mobile web http://thetechnologycafe.com/go-the-new-program...
  • Why can't someone just make a simple installer for ANYTHING?!?!?!

    The worst software experience I've ever had is always setting up open-source software. Seriously GOOGLE, want to INNOVATE? Fix this install experience!!!!
  • Can you be more specific, and/or offer links? Just curious how common the complaints are, since I'm not a coder myself ...
  • You must be on a Windows machine. The installation experience on Mac is great and many Linux platforms have pretty nice standardized package formats too. Maybe Microsoft should think of doing the same, if they haven't already.
  • .....So now we have a new development langauge to slow down and crush innovation.......after all theese years development languages are still unreadable to many outside of the cult.....hopefully one day this will end
  • Geoff H
    Outside the cult? Anyone can learn how to program, it takes interest and time. There is no cult of logic. Languages and libraries are evolving, but it will always take effort to be able to think in a comprehensive self-integrated way so that a series of statements and conditions functions correctly every time, and produce the desired result.

    Making shit happen isnt a freebie. There is no intellectual welfare to help out those unwilling to work for it. :)