Go Generics Debate

This cluster focuses on discussions about generics in the Go programming language, including complaints about their initial absence, defenses of Go's simplicity without them, the eventual addition in Go 1.18, and opinions on their necessity and implementation.

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Keywords

AFAIK FWIW MANY jp.org reddit.com golang.org i.e GO FAQ JVM generics language lack languages types java error aliases code generation error handling

Sample Comments

Hendrikto Mar 24, 2024 View on HN

Your opinion seems a bit outdated. Go has had generics for almost 2 years now.

gonzo41 Aug 18, 2023 View on HN

Considering what was done with Go before generics it's hard to disagree.

chmike Apr 14, 2016 View on HN

Consider using the D language instead if generics is a problem. Go is what it is and shouldn't change. It has it's advantages that make it optimal for particular contexts. Otherwise you'll turn it into another c++. There is a strong benefit in keeping Go simple as it is.

nemo1618 Oct 25, 2020 View on HN

I think Go is one of the most misunderstood languages. Many people want Go to be something that it isn't, and often for the wrong reasons.Generics are the most contentious issue, and people have been disparaging Go since day 1 for not supporting them. And yet, somehow we've spent the last 10 years writing all kinds of programs in Go, and the lack of generics has rarely been a showstopper. Go does have generics of course -- it just doesn't have user-defined generics. My h

Dewie Apr 17, 2014 View on HN

The number one complaint about go seems to be lack of generics. What is academically exciting about generics?

throw_m239339 Nov 7, 2020 View on HN

Go will never have generics. mark my words.

pjmlp Jul 20, 2018 View on HN

If you think Go will ever get generics you are fooling yourself.

bsg75 Apr 23, 2014 View on HN

If you need generics, Go is not the language you need.

3legcat Mar 2, 2016 View on HN

Not another dismissive comment about the lack of generics in Go again.

grahn May 7, 2017 View on HN

The Go people don't have an aversion for generics, just a very conservative approach to adding language features. To quote their FAQ:"Generics may well be added at some point. We don't feel an urgency for them, although we understand some programmers do."[1][1] http://golang-jp.org/doc/faq#generics