lancet
A comprehensive, efficient, and reusable utility function library for Go with 700+ functions.
What is lancet?
Lancet is a comprehensive utility function library for the Go programming language that provides over 700 reusable functions for common programming tasks. It solves the problem of repeatedly writing boilerplate code for operations like string manipulation, slice processing, datetime formatting, and cryptographic operations. The library is organized into logical packages and supports Go generics in its v2.x.x series.
Go developers who need reliable, tested utility functions for everyday programming tasks, particularly those working on applications requiring string processing, data manipulation, or cryptographic operations.
Developers choose Lancet for its extensive function collection with minimal dependencies, comprehensive test coverage, and clean package organization. It offers a more complete alternative to writing custom utilities or combining multiple smaller libraries.
Overview
A comprehensive, efficient, and reusable util function library of Go.
Use Cases
Best For
- Adding comprehensive utility functions to Go projects without external dependencies
- String manipulation and text processing in Go applications
- Working with slices and collections using generic functions
- Date and time operations beyond the standard library
- Implementing cryptographic operations like encryption and hashing
- Building data structures like lists, queues, stacks, and trees
Not Ideal For
- Projects targeting Go versions below 1.18 that require modern generics features, as v2.x.x is incompatible and v1.x.x lacks type-safe operations.
- Applications where minimizing binary size is critical, such as embedded systems or microservices, due to the inclusion of over 700 functions that may bloat the executable.
- Teams already using frameworks like Gin or Echo that provide their own utility sets, to avoid overlapping dependencies and potential conflicts.
- Environments with strict zero-external-dependency policies, as Lancet depends on golang.org/x packages in addition to the standard library.
Pros & Cons
Pros
With over 700 functions covering strings, slices, datetime, cryptography, and more, it eliminates the need to write common utilities from scratch, as highlighted in the README's comprehensive package list.
Only relies on the Go standard library and golang.org/x packages, reducing compatibility issues and keeping the project lightweight, as stated in the features section.
Every exported function includes unit tests, ensuring high reliability and reducing bugs, with code coverage badges showing over 90% test coverage.
Version 2.x.x fully utilizes Go 1.18+ generics for type-safe operations, improving code safety and reusability, as noted in the installation instructions.
Functions are logically grouped into packages like strutil, sliceutil, and datetime, making imports straightforward and code maintainable, as seen in the structured documentation.
Cons
The split between v1.x.x for Go <1.18 and v2.x.x for generics can cause migration confusion and effort, especially for teams upgrading Go versions, as acknowledged in the installation notes.
Including a large number of functions may lead to unused code being compiled, increasing binary size for small projects, which could impact performance-sensitive applications.
With 700+ functions spread across numerous packages, developers need significant time to learn the API, which can slow down onboarding and productivity.
As a large library, keeping all functions updated with Go's evolving standards, security patches, and best practices requires ongoing maintenance, which might lag behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
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