How to Find Go Functions Returning a Specific Type?

Finding Types That Return or Implement a Specific Type

In Go, finding functions that return a specific type can be a challenge. But there are some approaches you can take:

Searching the Golang.org Website

The Golang.org website offers a search feature that allows you to find specific types by their name. Simply enter the type name (e.g., "io.Writer") in the search bar. The results will be categorized into various sections, including:

• Types: Lists the types that match the search term.
• Package-level declarations: Displays the packages that declare the type.
• Local declarations and uses: Shows where the type is declared and used within specific packages.
• Textual occurrences: Lists all instances of the type name in the documentation.

Exploring Package Dependency Graphs

Godoc.org allows you to explore the dependency graph of packages. For instance, you can find all packages that import the "io" package by visiting:

https://godoc.org/io

This can provide potential starting points for your search, as these packages could potentially include functions that return io.Writer.

Note on Interfaces

Interface types in Go cannot be directly instantiated. Instead, they are implemented by concrete types. Therefore, searching for functions that explicitly return an interface type (e.g., io.Writer) may not be as effective.

Package Documentation

Many Go packages include an "Index" section in their documentation. This section lists the functions and methods declared in the package, grouped by their return type. This can be a valuable resource for finding functions that return a specific type within that package. For instance, the documentation for the io package includes a section titled "Generating Writers", which lists several functions that create writers.

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