When a Go source code file has not been processed by the `goimports` tool, it typically exhibits inconsistencies in its import statements. These inconsistencies can manifest as missing imports, redundant imports, or incorrectly formatted import blocks. For example, a file might reference a package function without explicitly importing the package, or it might contain an import statement for a package that is never actually used within the file’s code.
Addressing inconsistencies in import statements offers several advantages. Consistent formatting enhances code readability, simplifying collaboration among developers. Furthermore, eliminating unnecessary imports reduces the compiled binary size, potentially improving application performance. Historically, managing import statements manually proved tedious and prone to errors, motivating the development and adoption of automated tools like `goimports` to streamline this process.