Question 1

Is github.com/golang/protobuf still maintained?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but it's in maintenance mode for compatibility. The README recommends new code use `google.golang.org/protobuf`, and versions v1.4+ are implemented atop the newer module, with no active feature development.

Question 2

How to generate Go code from a .proto file?

Accepted Answer

Install the protoc-gen-go binary from this module, then run protoc with the --go_out flag. This processes .proto files to produce Go structs and methods, as detailed in the protocol buffers Go tutorial.

Question 3

What's the difference between golang/protobuf and google.golang.org/protobuf?

Accepted Answer

golang/protobuf is the older module with a simpler API, while google.golang.org/protobuf is the newer version offering protobuf reflection, better performance, and a modernized API. The newer one is preferred for all new projects.

Question 4

Can I use protocol buffers with gRPC in Go?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. This module provides the serialization backbone for gRPC services in Go, allowing you to define service interfaces and message types in .proto files for efficient inter-service communication.

Question 5

How to serialize a protobuf message to JSON in Go?

Accepted Answer

Use the jsonpb package's Marshaler to convert protobuf messages to JSON. It handles protobuf-specific fields like timestamps correctly, though it requires explicit configuration compared to standard JSON marshaling.

Question 6

What are the well-known types and how do I use them?

Accepted Answer

Well-known types like Timestamp and Duration have helper packages under ptypes. These provide functions for easy conversion between protobuf messages and Go time or duration types, simplifying common operations.

goprotobuf

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