Differences Between //go:build and // build

In Go 1.17, a new conditional compilation directive named //go:build was introduced as a replacement for the older // build directive. While both directives serve the same purpose of specifying build constraints, there are several key differences and advantages to using //go:build.

Syntax Differences:

• //go:build follows a similar syntax to other Go directives, like //go:generate. It takes a boolean expression as an argument, which determines whether the file should be included in the package during compilation.
• // build, on the other hand, uses a less intuitive syntax. It accepts a comma-separated list of tags to specify which platforms or conditions the file should be included for.

Implementation Details:

• In Go versions 1.17 and later, //go:build is the preferred directive and will be actively removed by the toolchain, as mentioned in the Go 1.18 release notes.
• // build will continue to be supported for a few Go releases to ensure a smooth transition, but its use is discouraged in newer versions.

Advantages of //go:build:

• Consistency: //go:build aligns with Go's other directives and pragmas, making it consistent and easier to remember.
• Improved Syntax: //go:build offers a more standard boolean expression syntax, using & and || for AND and OR conditions, respectively. This is in contrast to // build, which used commas for AND and spaces for OR.
• Go fmt Support: //go:build is supported by go fmt, which automatically fixes incorrect placement of the directive in source files. This helps avoid common mistakes, such as not leaving a blank line between the directive and the package statement.
• Detailed Error Messages: //go:build provides more detailed error messages during compilation, helping identify any issues with the build constraints.

Usage:

While both directives are used to specify build constraints, //go:build is generally preferred due to its advantages. Here's an example demonstrating the usage of both directives:

//go:build linux && amd64
package main

//  build linux,amd64
package main

In this example, both directives will achieve the same result, which is to include the main package only when compiling for Linux and 64-bit AMD architecture.

Conclusion:

//go:build offers several advantages over // build, including a consistent syntax, improved error messages, and go fmt support. It is the preferred directive for specifying build constraints in Go 1.17 and later.