Python To Go

Python to Go Translation

When to Use

• User asks to translate/convert/port a CoPaw Python module
• User asks to implement a GopherPaw module "based on" or "like" a CoPaw module
• User references a Python file in copaw-source/ and wants Go equivalent

Translation Workflow

Copy this checklist and track progress:

Translation Progress:
- [ ] Step 1: Read and understand the Python source
- [ ] Step 2: Extract the interface contract
- [ ] Step 3: Design Go interfaces
- [ ] Step 4: Implement in Go
- [ ] Step 5: Write tests (TDD - edge cases first)
- [ ] Step 6: Update contract docs

Step 1: Read and Understand

Read the target Python file(s) in copaw-source/src/copaw/. Focus on:

• What problem does this module solve?
• What are the public methods (the contract)?
• What are the dependencies (imports from other CoPaw modules)?
• What are the side effects (I/O, network, state mutation)?

Step 2: Extract Interface Contract

List all public methods with their signatures:

Python class: ClassName
  - method_name(arg1: type, arg2: type) -> return_type
  - another_method(arg: type) -> return_type

Identify which methods are essential vs. framework-specific (AgentScope).

Step 3: Design Go Interfaces

Translate the extracted contract to Go interfaces. Apply these rules:

• Python class -> Go interface (at consumer side) + struct (at provider side)
• Keep interfaces small (1-3 methods)
• Use context.Context as first parameter for anything that does I/O
• Return error as last return value

Step 4: Implement

• Place code in the correct internal/ package per architecture spec
• Use composition (embedding) instead of inheritance
• Replace Python async with goroutines + context
• Replace Python exceptions with error returns

Step 5: Write Tests

Before or alongside implementation, write tests covering:

• Normal path
• Empty/nil inputs
• Error conditions
• Concurrent access (if stateful)
• Timeout behavior

Step 6: Update Docs

Update docs/api_spec.md with new interface definitions.

Pattern Reference

For detailed Python-to-Go pattern mappings, see reference.md.