10 Awesome Free Resources to Learn Go

Learning a new programming language doesn’t have to be expensive. With just an Internet connection, you can start learning Go (Golang) using these fantastic resources.

Quick Start

If you’re completely new to Go, start with this concise video introduction Go in 100 Seconds.

Online Code Playgrounds

You can experiment with Go code online at either the official Go Playground or one of these alternatives:

• The Go Play Space: Adds syntax highlighting. Built with GopherJS
• Better Go Playground: Also has code completion
• Pyroscope Go Playground: With CPU flame graph

Comprehensive Learning Resources

In no specific order.

1. Exercism

Website: Exercism Go Track

• 141 exercises across 34 Go concepts
• Automatic code analysis and personal mentoring

https://exercism.org/tracks/go/concepts

2. Play with Go

Website: Play with Go

• Hands-on, interactive browser-based guides
• Introduces essential Go tools and practices

https://play-with-go.dev/

3. Go Language Basics

Website: Go Language Basics

• Instructor John Doak taught this class at Google and Microsoft
• He wrote the book Go for DevOps

https://www.golangbasics.com/video/1

4. Go by Example

Website: Go by Example

• Created by Mark McGranaghan and Eli Bendersky
• Hands-on introduction through annotated example programs

https://gobyexample.com/range-over-built-in-types

5. Golang Tutorial Series

Website: Golang Bot

• Created by Naveen Ramanathan
• It has around forty tutorial posts

https://golangbot.com/arrays-and-slices/

6. Learn Go with Tests

Website: Learn Go with Tests

• Created by Chris James
• Learn Go through test-driven development

https://quii.gitbook.io/learn-go-with-tests/go-fundamentals/arrays-and-slices

7. Go 101

Website: Go 101

• Written by Tapir Liu
• Free online book to deep dive into Go syntax and semantics

https://go101.org/article/type-embedding.html

8. From trusted brands

• Microsoft: Take Your First Steps with Go

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/paths/go-first-steps/

• Google (Codecademy): Learn Go

https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-go

• Red Hat: Go Language Course

http://127.0.0.1:3999 :-)

9. Official Go Resources

• A Tour of Go

https://go.dev/tour/welcome/1

• Effective Go

https://go.dev/doc/effective_go

10. Youtube playlists

• Boot.dev: Golang Course with Bonus Projects

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un6ZyFkqFKo

• Net Ninja: Go (Golang) Tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etSN4X_fCnM&list=PL4cUxeGkcC9gC88BEo9czgyS72A3doDeM

Paid Options (If Budget Allows)

While the above resources are free, these paid alternatives offer in-depth learning:

• Ardan Labs Ultimate Go Training
• Gopher Guides
• Web Development with Go, Gophercises (free mini-projects)
• Platforms: Udemy or Pluralsight.

Conclusion

With these resources, you have multiple paths to learn the Go programming without spending a dime. Choose the approach that best suits your learning style and start your Go programming journey today!

More pointers here.

artwork by @ashleymcnamara