Editing Go (game) (section)

=== Software assistance ===
{{Main|Go software}}

[[File:9 by 9 Go game with maps.jpg|thumb|A 9×9 game with graphical aids. Colors and markings show evaluations by the computer assistant.]]

An abundance of software is available to support players of the game. This includes programs that can be used to view or edit game records and diagrams, programs that allow the user to search for patterns in the games of strong players, and programs that allow users to play against each other over the Internet.

Some web servers{{Citation needed|date=January 2015}} provide graphical aids like maps, to aid learning during play. These graphical aids may suggest possible next moves, indicate areas of influence, highlight vital stones under attack and mark stones in atari or about to be captured.

There are several file formats used to store game records, the most popular of which is SGF, short for [[Smart Game Format]]. Programs used for editing game records allow the user to record not only the moves, but also variations, commentary and further information on the game.{{efn|1=Lists of such programs may be found at [http://senseis.xmp.net/?GoEditingPrograms Sensei's Library] or [http://gobase.org/software/editors/ GoBase].}}

Electronic databases can be used to study life and death situations, [[joseki]], [[fuseki]] and games by a particular player. Programs are available that give players pattern searching options, which allow players to research positions by searching for high-level games in which similar situations occur. Such software generally lists common follow-up moves that have been played by professionals and gives statistics on win–loss ratio in opening situations.

Internet-based [[Internet Go server|Go servers]] allow access to competition with players all over the world, for real-time and turn-based games.{{efn|1=Lists of Go servers are kept at [http://senseis.xmp.net/?GoServers Sensei's Library] and [http://www.usgo.org/resources/servers.html the AGA website]}} Such servers also allow easy access to professional teaching, with both teaching games and interactive game review being possible.{{efn|1=The British Go Association provides a [https://www.britgo.org/teaching/teaching.html list of teaching services]}}