Install Go on Ubuntu: A Step-By-Step Guide
Tags: ubuntu, go, lang, install
Published: 2024-02-12 13:49:03

Go, also known as Golang, is a powerful programming language developed by Google. Known for its simplicity, efficiency, and robust concurrency support, Go has gained popularity among developers. If you're using Ubuntu as your operating system, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of installing Go on your machine.

### Prerequisites to Install Go on Ubuntu
Before you begin the installation, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

1. A machine running Ubuntu.
2. Access to a terminal with administrative privileges.

## How to Install Go on Ubuntu?
Here is the step-by-step for installing Go on Ubuntu:
### Step 1: Update and Upgrade

Start by ensuring your system is up to date. Open a terminal and run the following commands:

```
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
```

This will update the package list and upgrade all installed packages on your system.

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### Step 2: Downloading Go
Now, navigate to the official Go website to find the latest version of the language. Copy the download link for the Linux distribution. In your terminal, use wget to download the Go tarball:

```
wget https://golang.org/dl/goX.XX.X.linux-amd64.tar.gz
```

> Replace X.XX.X with the latest version number available.

### Step 3: Extracting the Tarball
Once the download is complete, extract the tarball using the following command:

```
sudo tar -C /usr/local -xzf goX.XX.X.linux-amd64.tar.gz
```

### Step 4: Configuring Environment Variables
To use Go, you need to set up the PATH and GOPATH environment variables. Edit your profile configuration file using a text editor like nano:

```
nano ~/.profile
```

Add the following lines at the end of the file:

```
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/go/bin
export GOPATH=$HOME/go
export PATH=$PATH:$GOPATH/bin
```

Save and exit the text editor. Then, apply the changes to your current session:

```
source ~/.profile
```

### Step 5: Verifying the Installation
To verify that Go has been installed successfully, run the following commands:

```
go version
```

You should see the installed Go version printed in the terminal.

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## How to Manage Go Versions with Go Version Manager (gvm)

### Installing gvm
For better version management, you can use a tool like Go Version Manager (gvm). Install gvm with the following commands:

```
sudo apt-get install bison
bash < <(curl -s -S -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/moovweb/gvm/master/binscripts/gvm-installer)
```

Add the following line to your profile configuration:

```
[[ -s "$HOME/.gvm/scripts/gvm" ]] && source "$HOME/.gvm/scripts/gvm"
```

Source your profile or restart the terminal:

```
source ~/.profile
```

### Installing Specific Go Versions
With gvm, you can easily install and switch between different Go versions. To install a specific version, use the following command:

```
gvm install goX.XX.X
```

## Conclusion
Congratulations! You've successfully installed Go on your Ubuntu machine. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just getting started, Go provides an efficient and versatile platform for building robust applications. Take advantage of Go's simplicity, concurrency support, and strong community to enhance your coding experience. If needed, gvm offers a convenient way to manage multiple Go versions, allowing you to switch between them effortlessly. Now, you're ready to dive into the world of Go programming on your Ubuntu system. Happy coding!