Go Functions


A function is a block of statements that can be used repeatedly in a program.

A function will not execute automatically when a page loads.

A function will be executed by a call to the function.


Create a Function

To create (often referred to as declare) a function, do the following:

  • Use the func keyword.
  • Specify a name for the function, followed by parentheses ().
  • Finally, add code that defines what the function should do, inside curly braces {}.

Syntax

func FunctionName() {
  // code to be executed
}

Call a Function

Functions are not executed immediately. They are "saved for later use", and will be executed when they are called.

In the example below, we create a function named "myMessage()". The opening curly brace ( { ) indicates the beginning of the function code, and the closing curly brace ( } ) indicates the end of the function. The function outputs "I just got executed!". To call the function, just write its name followed by two parentheses ():

Example

package main
import ("fmt")

func myMessage() {
  fmt.Println("I just got executed!")
}

func main() {
  myMessage() // call the function
}

Result:

I just got executed!
Try it Yourself »

A function can be called multiple times.

Example

package main
import ("fmt")

func myMessage() {
  fmt.Println("I just got executed!")
}

func main() {
  myMessage()
  myMessage()
  myMessage()
}

Result:

I just got executed!
I just got executed!
I just got executed!
Try it Yourself »


Naming Rules for Go Functions

  • A function name must start with a letter
  • A function name can only contain alpha-numeric characters and underscores (A-z, 0-9, and _ )
  • Function names are case-sensitive
  • A function name cannot contain spaces
  • If the function name consists of multiple words, techniques introduced for multi-word variable naming can be used

Tip: Give the function a name that reflects what the function does!


Go Exercises

Test Yourself With Exercises

Exercise:

Create a function named myFunction and call it inside main().

package main   
import ("fmt")
func { fmt.Println("I just got executed!") }
func main() { }

Start the Exercise


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