Will Google Rename Their Programming Language?
Google has finally outgrown its shoes and is attempting to build a new foundation by creating its own programming language. Named “Go,” Google aims to create a more efficient programming language for a fast-track new modern world.
Google currently feels as though software development could use a new major leap. Unfortunately, the have just hit a hurdle.
The language “go” was invented by somebody else.
That somebody is Francis McCabe who was startled to find out that Google had named its new programming language “go,” especially when he’d created one a few years ago and wrote a book about it. To rectify the issue, he went to the source – the Go helpdesk.
“Issue 9” is a fast-growing discussion and the majority of people seem to agree that Google should change the name of its language, based on the fact that there is already a published book and several articles about McCabe’s project.
Robert Greiner of Cube Antics addressed some more interesting reasons why Google should change the name of its coding language. Here’s a summary:
- Search-Engine-Optimization: Ironically, Google should understand that competing results for the word “go” number in the millions. Thus, finding support for the language would be difficult.
- Name Disputes: McCabe’s project has been around for years. Google should accept that they’ve been beaten to the punch for that particular name.
- It’s the Right Thing to Do: Google should let McCabe have his name, because he came up with it.
Google’s reaction remains to be seen. Whether or not the company will rename its language is unknown.
What Do You Think?
Should Google rename its coding language? If they did, what kind of name would the new language have? Share your thoughts and opinions below!
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of course they should Corey.. but how hard can it be? Just call it “Goo”.
cheers,
michael
I find that I’m torn on this issue myself (not that it makes much difference in the whole scheme of things though).
On one hand, I think that if you pick a common word as the name of your product, you should expect that other people are going to do the same. Seriously…the word ‘Go’? I don’t care if you add an exclamation point at the end or not, it’s just not a good choice. Therefore, if someone uses your name, get over it; you should have picked a better name for your brand.
On the other hand, they should change it because it is such a poor choice. SEO reasons are a valid point; unless Google forces their product to the top (and I assume they will) there is no reason for it to show up in results any time soon. And even if they do that, will I really want to see a coding language when I look up an action verb?
I do think Google’s choice will speak more about their character as a corporate entity than anything else. It IS the right thing to do (for numerous reasons).
If they DON’T do it…what does that say about them?
From Wikipedia..
“Don’t be evil” is the informal corporate motto (or slogan) of Google, originally suggested by Google employees Paul Buchheit and Amit Patel at a meeting.
Buchheit, the creator of Gmail, said he “wanted something that, once you put it in there, would be hard to take out,” adding that the slogan was “also a bit of a jab at a lot of the other companies, especially our competitors, who at the time, in our opinion, were kind of exploiting the users to some extent.”
Enough said.