Main package
The main package is the special Go package that defines an independently executable program, including its entry point.
Learn Go with Pocket-Sized Projects
The main package is the special Go package that defines an executable program's entry point.
- How it is used
- Defines the executable entry point for small Go programs and command-line tools.
- How deep it goes
- Explains package declaration, compiler recognition, function execution, and binary layout without developing package design further.
- Examples
- Uses a Hello World executable and a money-converter command-line tool to demonstrate main package placement.
- What you can do after
- Build it from scratch by declaring package main and implementing func main() in an executable Go project.
Read how Learn Go with Pocket-Sized Projects explains main package →
Go in Action, Second Edition
The main package is the special Go package whose compiled program is intended to be an independently runnable executable.
- How it is used
- Marks the package that begins an independently runnable Go application.
- How deep it goes
- Explains compiler discovery of main and main(), then extends into executable directory organization and package constraints.
- Examples
- Uses a package declaration listing, cmd/myapp/main.go, and a multi-module go-news directory structure.
- What you can do after
- Build an independently runnable executable by combining package main with a main function.
Read how Go in Action, Second Edition explains main package →
Related concepts
- packagekind of · A package is a programming-language namespace and organizational unit that groups related code and may define import, compilation, or access boundaries.
- entry pointhas part · An entry point is a designated starting location or interface through which a program, component, process, or interaction begins.
- const qualifierhas part · A language feature that marks a value, binding, or access path as constant, restricting reassignment or modification according to the language’s rules.
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