Learn the basics of Go, an open source programming language originally developed by a team at Google and enhanced by many contributors from the open source community. This is the first in a series of three courses comprising the Programming with Google Go specialization. It is designed for individuals with previous programming experience using such languages as C, Python, or Java, and covers the fundamental elements of Go. Topics include data types, protocols, formats, and writing code that incorporates RFCs and JSON. Most importantly, you’ll have a chance to practice writing Go programs and receive feedback from your peers. Upon completing this course, you’ll be able to implement simple Go programs, which will prepare you for the remaining two courses in this specialization: Functions, Methods, and Interfaces in Go and Concurrency in Go.

Welcome to a module, where you'll get started with Go programming! You'll discover the advantages of using Go and begin exploring its core features. We'll guide you through installing the Go programming environment on your computer, culminating in writing your very first 'Hello, World' program. Ensure your Go programming environment is correctly set up for a smooth learning experience.

Now that you've set up your Go programming environment, you're ready to dive into fundamental data types. This module introduces basic data types in Go, such as floating-point numbers and strings, and gives you practice writing routines to manipulate them. Mastering these data types is crucial for building robust Go programs. Focus on understanding each data type's use cases through the coding exercises.

Building on your knowledge of basic data types, this module introduces more complex composite data types in Go, including arrays, slices, maps, and structs. You'll gain hands-on practice writing code that effectively uses these structures to organize and manage data. Pay close attention to how these structures organize data for efficient programming, which is key for real-world Go applications.

This final module of the course introduces the use of remote function calls (RFCs) and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) in Go. You’ll learn how to access and manipulate data from external files, and have an opportunity to write several routines using Go that exercise this functionality.