Default Selection

The default case in a select is run if no other case is ready.

Use a default case to try a send or receive without blocking:

select {
case i := <-c:
    // use i
default:
    // receiving from c would block
}

default-selection.go

package main
import (
    "fmt"
    "time"
)
func main() {
    tick := time.Tick(100 * time.Millisecond)
    boom := time.After(500 * time.Millisecond)
    for {
        select {
        case <-tick:
            fmt.Println("tick.")
        case <-boom:
            fmt.Println("BOOM!")
            return
        default:
            fmt.Println("    .")
            time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
        }
    }
}