Basic Types

Go has several built-in basic types, but four of them cover most of what you'll use day to day: int for whole numbers, float64 for decimal numbers, string for text, and bool for true/false values. int's exact size depends on the platform, but you can treat it as "a whole number" for now — Go also offers more specific sized types like int32 and int64 for when you need precise control.

var score int = 100
count := 42

float64 is Go's default, recommended floating-point type for decimal numbers — there is also a float32 for when memory is tight, but float64 is what you should reach for unless you have a specific reason not to.

var price float64 = 19.99
temperature := 98.6

Which is Go's default, recommended floating-point type for decimal numbers?

string holds text, written between double quotes, and bool holds exactly one of two values: true or false, always written lowercase in Go — unlike languages that capitalize their boolean literals.

name := "Maya"
isActive := true

Go's boolean type can only ever hold the value true or ____.

Go automatically gives every variable declared with var but no initial value a predictable "zero value" instead of leaving it undefined: 0 for numeric types like int and float64, an empty string "" for string, and false for bool. This guarantees a variable is always in a valid, known state from the very moment it is declared.

var count int
var name string
var active bool

fmt.Println(count, name, active) // 0  false

In Go, a variable declared with var but given no initial value automatically gets a predictable zero value instead of being left undefined.