[Vendan]

I'm not sure how `fmt.Printf("%s\n", i) // invalid type` is really that "scary". Expecting the compiler to introspect that Printf's `...interface{}` argument's first value is incorrect, even though `i` does fulfill the stated parameter's type, is a FAR more scary thought.

[_ph_]

The important thing here is, that fmt.Printf is just a function which takes a string and a variable amount of interface{} parameters. There is nothing in the language spec which creates a type correlation. the "%s" denotes a string parameter to print is solely some inner working of the Printf function. Yes, you can special case fmt.Printf, as some compilers do, but given the standard go vet tool, I rather think it belongs there than into the compiler, which, following the Go philosophy, exactly understands the Go language and precisely compiles that.

[Vendan]

That's exactly my point. Special casing the compilation of 1 specific set of functions is a scary concept, esp. as the tool that can check the types is already in the go toolchain, AND there are plenty of edge cases that can't be caught anyways, so it can create a false sense of security.

[_ph_]

Ah, had not quite caught your point as you had phrased it (and that by the time I answered your post was difficult to read for me, as for some downvotes it was printed in a very light font). Then we fully agree.