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Built-in Functions in Go

Go provides several built-in functions.

The builtin functions make() and cap() are particularly useful for working
with slices, maps, channels, and more.

Table of Contents

The make() Built-in Function

The make() function is pivotal for creating slices, maps, or channels, providing a way to initialize these data structures.

Syntax for make()

func make(t Type, size ...IntegerType) Type
  • t: Specifies the type to create (slice, map, or chan).
    • i.e., []int, map[string]int, or chan int.
  • size...: Specifies the size and, optionally for slices, the capacity. 
make([]int, 5, 10)   // Creates a slice of `int`s with a length of `5` and a capacity of `10`.  
make(map[string]int, 10)  // Creates a map of `string`s to `int`s with a capacity of `10`.  
make(chan int, 10)  // Creates a channel of `int`s with a buffer size of `10`.

Basic Usage of make()

Slices

// Declaring and initializing a slice in a single line:  
slice1 := make([]int, 5)

This statement creates a slice of ints with a length and capacity of 5.

  • Length vs. Capacity: The first integer argument after the type specifies
    the length of the slice, and an optional second argument specifies its capacity.

    • If the capacity argument is omitted, it defaults to the specified length.

Maps

// Creating a map to map strings to integers:  
myMap := make(map[string]int)
  • Maps created with make() have no initial entries.
    • The size argument is optional and specifies an initial allocation size.

Channels

// Creating a channel of integers with a buffer size of 10:  
myChan := make(chan int, 10)
  • The optional integer argument specifies the buffer size for the channel.

Defining a Slice with a Specific Capacity

emptySlice := make([]any, 0, 10)

This creates a slice with a length of 0 and a capacity of 10.
The slice initially contains no elements but has space allocated for 10 elements, allowing for efficient append operations up to its capacity.

The cap() Built-in Function

The cap() function returns the maximum capacity of its argument, which
can vary based on the type of the argument.

Syntax for cap()

func cap(v Type) int

Usage

  • Slices and Arrays: Returns the maximum number of elements the slice can hold.
  • Channels: Returns the channel buffer capacity, i.e., the number of elements the
    channel can hold. 
// Extending an `int` slice to its full capacity with zero values:  
emptyIntSlice := make([]int, 0, 10)  
fullIntSlice := emptyIntSlice[:cap(emptyIntSlice)] // Fills the slice with 10 zero values  

// Extending an `any` slice to its full capacity with nil values:  
emptySlice = make([]any, 0, 10)  
fullSlice := emptySlice[:cap(emptySlice)] // Fills the slice with 10 nil values

  • This pattern is used to extend a slice to its full capacity, with the zero-value of
    the slice's type.

  • For slices of interface types, like any, the elements will be nil.

  • When extended like this, slices of non-interface types (int, struct{}, etc.) will
    be filled with the zero value of the element type, not nil.

Additional Tips

  • Initializing Maps and Channels:

    • While make() is essential for slices, maps, and channels, note that
      maps and channels can also be declared and used without make(), but
      they'll be nil and unusable for storing data or communication until
      make() initializes them.

  • Zero Values and nil:

    • Understand the difference between a slice's zero value (nil) and an empty
      slice (e.g., make([]T, 0)).

    • The latter is a slice with allocated space but no elements.

Example Using a Channel

Appending to a Slice

nums := make([]int, 0, 5) // Slice of ints with capacity 5  
for i := 1; i <= 5; i++ {
    nums = append(nums, i)  
}

This example demonstrates initializing a slice with a specific capacity and appending elements up to that capacity, which is an efficient way to grow a slice.

Example Using a Channel

Reading from a Buffered Channel

messages := make(chan string, 2)  
messages <- "hello"  
messages <- "world"  

fmt.Println(<-messages) // Prints: hello  
fmt.Println(<-messages) // Prints: world

This shows creating a buffered channel, sending messages without needing a concurrent receiver ready, and then receiving the messages.

By understanding and utilizing built-in functions like make() and cap(), you can write more efficient and idiomatic Go code.