Max of a slice in Go

Finds the largest element, and shows why an empty slice needs a decision.

func max(items []int) (int, error) {
    if len(items) == 0 {
        return 0, errors.New("empty slice")
    }
    best := items[0]
    for _, v := range items[1:] {
        if v > best {
            best = v
        }
    }
    return best, nil
}

Keywords and builtins used here

• error
• for
• func
• if
• int
• len
• max
• range
• return

The run, in numbers

Lines

12

Characters to type

188

Tokens

65

Three-star pace

90 tpm

At the three-star pace of 90 tokens a minute, this run takes about 43 seconds.

Type this snippet

Step 6 of 9 in Arrays, slices & maps, step 21 of 30 in Language basics.

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