8 Pros and Cons of Being a Go Developer

I’m a Golang developer. People often wonder about my job: What exactly do I do, and is it challenging? If you’re curious too, take a look at this guide!

I will share the advantages and disadvantages of being a Go dev. Come on board with me! You’ll get the full scoop on this job and figure out if it’s your dream career.

Who Is A Golang Developer?

A Golang developer is like a coding architect, specializing in crafting software using the Go programming language. A Golang developer is at the forefront of building and enhancing digital products.

Thus, they leverage Go frameworks and tools. Golang developers are sought after by major companies because of the language’s powerful capabilities.

A Go developer

I work as a Golang developer, and my job comes with its share of advantages and difficulties. If you find this field intriguing, I’ll tell you about my own experiences!

I’ll delve into the perks that make me passionate about this career, including the code being easy to understand, a lot of job opportunities and a high salary, suitable for back-end developers, remarkable tools, etc.

1. The Code Is Easy To Understand

Ensuring user-friendliness is vital, especially when tackling intricate tasks like revamping the entire backend or scaling up. Golang’s clarity and user-friendly design stand out as key strengths, distinguishing it from other languages.

If you seek a language that provides speed, simplicity, easy maintenance, and a straightforward learning curve, Go is the ideal choice.

This language will encompass all these aspects through its support for concurrency, built-in testing, and well-documented resources.

The code is easy to understand

2. A Lot of Job Opportunities and High Salary

The demand for Golang developers is exceptionally high. This language boasts distinctive features that assist in constructing robust applications.

As a result, an increasing number of companies are adopting it. Hence, Golang developers can command competitive salaries. With the escalating demand for their skills, you’ll find a wealth of opportunities in this field.

In 2023, the average annual salary for a Golang developer was $121,740. Nevertheless, employers are ready to reward those with extensive experience and exceptional skills with higher salaries.

3. Suitable for Back-End Developer

Beyond the mentioned benefits of Golang, it’s crucial to note that its efficient code execution makes it a compelling choice for backend development.

With a focus on speed and efficiency, Golang is perfect for developing web apps and services that manage substantial data and handle heavy workloads.

Go features exceptional concurrency capabilities, allowing it to adeptly manage multiple processes running simultaneously. This aspect implies that it can proficiently handle concurrent requests without compromising performance.

Furthermore, the Go programming language flaunts a clear syntax, significantly enhancing code readability and manageability. This characteristic empowers development teams to work with heightened efficiency.

4. Remarkable Tools

The tools provided by Go are genuinely remarkable. These tools encompass a testing framework seamlessly integrated into the language, enabling the generation of code coverage reports.

Additionally, there’s an array of other robust tools for conducting static analysis. Go’s built-in source formatting tool can revolutionize your coding experience.

Golang provides an extensive array of libraries and tools for swift and efficient backend development. With support for popular tools such as Docker, Kubernetes, Redis, and MongoDB, developers can seamlessly integrate these tools into their projects.

5. Skills for Building Cloud Infrastructure

Go’s strength in handling multiple tasks at once and its networking features make it the perfect choice for building cloud infrastructure. Crafted by Google with a focus on this goal, Go’s features effortlessly match the needs of apps.

In addition to its integrated concurrency and networking features, Go is highly portable, making it even more remarkable. Together, these three fundamental features make Go a premier option for crafting applications for cloud services.

Golang’s ability to run on different platforms is grounded in its strong support for cross-platform compatibility. You can deploy it across a range of platforms.

Diverse opportunities

Becoming a Golang developer comes with numerous advantages. However, you’ll encounter various challenges along the way. These challenges encompass a limited ecosystem, static typing, and a small community.

6. Limited Ecosystem

As a relatively new language, Golang doesn’t yet have the extensive library support seen in more established languages like Java or Python.

Navigating the limited ecosystem can be challenging for developers seeking third-party libraries for specific tasks. Yet, the Golang community is expanding, and this constraint is steadily being tackled.

7. Static Typing

Although static typing offers benefits like error detection during compilation, it can also render the code less adaptable and more challenging to refactor.

For developers used to dynamic typing, Golang’s static typing may feel limiting, possibly slowing down the development pace. Yet, this compromise results in enhanced code reliability and early detection of errors.

8. Small Community

The Golang community is relatively small compared to some other programming languages. This aspect can pose a challenge in terms of locating comprehensive support or finding collaborators for projects.

Nevertheless, the community is dynamic and expanding, as well as the presence of resources like documentation and forums helps alleviate this limitation.

Small community as a Golang dev

Should You Become a Go Developer?

Becoming a Golang developer hinges on your career aspirations, personal preferences, and the kind of projects you aim to undertake.

If you appreciate simplicity, and efficiency, and enjoy backend development with a focus on scalability and concurrency, Golang might be an excellent fit for you.

The language’s increasing popularity, high demand in the job market, and its applications in machine learning and cloud infrastructure make it a compelling choice for developers looking for diverse opportunities.

Conclusion

I’ve taken you through the pros and cons of being a Golang dev. Being a Go developer not only offers the perk of a good salary but also involves engaging and interesting tasks. Nevertheless, it’s essential to embrace the challenges that come with the role.

I hope this guide can assist you in envisioning your future role as a Go dev. If you’re still interested in entering this industry, start refining your skills today. Once you have confidence in your abilities, you can overcome any challenges that come your way. Thank you for reading!