Chapter 03: Anatomy

To a beginner, code looks like matrix hieroglyphs. Let's demystify it. We will explain every single symbol in a basic program.

package main              // 1. The Package Declaration

import "fmt"              // 2. The Import Statement

func main() {             // 3. The Function Declaration
    fmt.Println("Hello")  // 4. The Statement
}

1. package main

"This is an executable program."

• In Go, code is organized into boxes called Packages.
• The main package is special. It tells the compiler: "Produce a program I can run, not just a library helper."
• If you named it package calculator, it would be a library, not a runnable app.

2. import "fmt"

"Bring in the tools."

• Keyword: import tells Go we need extra functionality.
• String: "fmt" stands for Format. It is a standard library package for input/output (printing text).
• Metaphor: You are a carpenter. You are reaching into your toolbox to grab the "Hammer" (fmt).

3. func main() { ... }

"The Entry Point."

• Keyword: func defines a Function (a block of logic).
• Name: main. When you run the program, Go looks strictly for a function named main to start.
• () Parentheses: These hold Arguments (Inputs). Here, it is empty, meaning the function takes no inputs.
• { } Curly Braces: These mark the Scope (The Body). Everything inside these braces is part of the function.
  • { = Start of logic.
  • } = End of logic.

4. fmt.Println("Hello")

"Do something."

• fmt: The package we imported.
• . (The Dot): The Selector. It means "Open the fmt box AND look inside for..."
• Println: The specific tool we want. (Print Line).
• (): Invocation. "Activate this tool now!"
• "Hello": The Data. We pass this text into the tool.
  • "" Quotes: Tell Go this is text (String), not code code.

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Summary: "I am a runnable program (package main). I need the format tool (import). When I start (func main), open the format tool (.) and use the Print Line feature to show 'Hello' (Println(...))."

🎓 Knowledge Check

1. What does package main mean? It tells Go that this is an executable program, not a library.
2. What is go.mod? It's the project's passport. It tracks dependencies and the Go version.
3. Why do we use fmt.Println? To print text to the console (Standard Output).