Can Go Libraries Be Distributed as Binary-Only Packages?

Using Binary Packages Directly in Go

When distributing a Go library, many developers wish to withhold the source code. However, a common misconception is that binary packages (.a files) can be distributed alone.

Go's Binary Package Usage Constraints

Unfortunately, Go's compiler requires access to source files .go) even when distributing binary packages. This is because:

• The compiler relies on the interface types and method signatures present in the source code to type-check the compiled package.
• The compiler uses the source timestamps to ensure that the binary package is up-to-date.

Alternative Approach

To distribute your library without source code, you can create dummy source files with timestamps earlier than the binary packages. This tells the compiler to use the binary package and ignore the dummy sources. However, this approach is discouraged as it relies on maintaining the timestamps correctly.

Recommendation

If possible, it is recommended to distribute your library with both binary packages and source code. This allows users to easily build your library into their projects without encountering any issues.

Go's Stance on Binary-Only Distribution

Go does not explicitly prohibit distributing binary-only packages. However, the compiler's requirements make it difficult to do so effectively. This is likely due to Go's emphasis on maintainability and the need for users to verify the source code before using a library.

The above is the detailed content of Can Go Libraries Be Distributed as Binary-Only Packages?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!