| # Go 1.16 is released |
| 16 Feb 2021 |
| Summary: Go 1.16 adds embedded files, Apple silicon support, and more. |
| |
| Matt Pearring |
| |
| Dmitri Shuralyov |
| |
| ## |
| |
| Today the Go team is very happy to announce the release of Go 1.16. |
| You can get it from the [download page](https://golang.org/dl/). |
| |
| The new |
| [embed package](https://golang.org/doc/go1.16#library-embed) |
| provides access to files embedded at compile time using the new `//go:embed` directive. |
| Now it is easy to bundle supporting data files into your Go programs, |
| making developing with Go even smoother. |
| You can get started using the |
| [embed package documentation](https://pkg.go.dev/embed). |
| Carl Johnson has also written a nice tutorial, |
| “[How to use Go embed](https://blog.carlmjohnson.net/post/2021/how-to-use-go-embed/)”. |
| |
| Go 1.16 also adds |
| [macOS ARM64 support](https://golang.org/doc/go1.16#darwin) |
| (also known as Apple silicon). |
| Since Apple’s announcement of their new arm64 architecture, we have been working closely with them to ensure Go is fully supported; see our blog post |
| “[Go on ARM and Beyond](https://blog.golang.org/ports)” |
| for more. |
| |
| Note that Go 1.16 |
| [requires use of Go modules by default](https://golang.org/doc/go1.16#modules), |
| now that, according to our 2020 Go Developer Survey, |
| 96% of Go developers have made the switch. |
| We recently added official documentation for [developing and publishing modules](https://golang.org/doc/modules/developing). |
| |
| Finally, there are many other improvements and bug fixes, |
| including builds that are up to 25% faster and use as much as 15% less memory. |
| For the complete list of changes and more information about the improvements above, |
| see the |
| [Go 1.16 release notes](https://golang.org/doc/go1.16). |
| |
| We want to thank everyone who contributed to this release by writing code |
| filing bugs, providing feedback, and testing the beta and release candidate. |
| |
| Your contributions and diligence helped to ensure that Go 1.16 is as stable as possible. |
| That said, if you notice any problems, please |
| [file an issue](https://golang.org/issue/new). |
| |
| We hope you enjoy the new release! |
