Context Cancellation
Pattern
Pass context.Context as first parameter. Check ctx.Done() in goroutines and long operations.
CORRECT
go
func ProcessItems(ctx context.Context, items []string) error {
for _, item := range items {
select {
case <-ctx.Done():
return ctx.Err()
default:
if err := processItem(item); err != nil {
return err
}
}
}
return nil
}
func main() {
ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
defer cancel()
if err := ProcessItems(ctx, items); err != nil {
log.Printf("processing failed: %v", err)
}
}
WRONG - No context checking
go
func ProcessItems(items []string) error {
for _, item := range items {
// No way to cancel - runs forever if stuck
if err := processItem(item); err != nil {
return err
}
}
return nil
}
Rules
- •Context is first parameter:
func Do(ctx context.Context, ...) - •Always call
cancel()viadeferto prevent leaks - •Check
ctx.Done()in loops and before expensive operations - •Propagate context to downstream calls
- •Use
context.WithTimeoutorWithDeadlinefor time limits
Common Patterns
go
// HTTP server with context
func handler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
ctx := r.Context() // Request context
result, err := fetchData(ctx)
// ...
}
// Worker with cancellation
func worker(ctx context.Context) {
for {
select {
case <-ctx.Done():
return
case work := <-workCh:
process(work)
}
}
}