What are the differences between structs and pointers in Go?

What are the differences between structs and pointers in Go?

In Go, structs are value types that hold data, while pointers are references to memory locations. Structs copy their values when assigned, whereas pointers allow you to reference the same data.

Can you explain when to use pointers instead of structs?

Use pointers when you want to modify the original data or when passing large structs to functions to avoid copying overhead.

What happens if I pass a struct to a function?

When you pass a struct to a function, a copy of the struct is made. Changes to the copy won't affect the original struct.

Are there any performance implications of using pointers?

Yes, using pointers can improve performance by avoiding the overhead of copying large structs, but it also adds complexity in managing memory.

Can you give an example of using a pointer with a struct?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

type Person struct { Name string }

func changeName(p *Person) { p.Name = "Alice" }

func main() {
    p := Person{Name: "Bob"}
    changeName(&p)
    fmt.Println(p.Name) // Outputs: Alice
}