How To Install the Latest Version of Golang in Ubuntu?

In today’s digital era, Golang, also known as Go, has become a popular programming language due to its simplicity and efficiency. This article will guide you through the process of installing the latest version of Golang on your Ubuntu system.

Table of Contents

What is Golang?
Prerequisites
Method 1: Installing Golang using APT
Method 2: Installing Golang using Golang Backports PPA
Method 3: Installing Golang using Snap
Verifying the Installation
Conclusion

What is Golang?

Golang is an open-source programming language developed by Google. It’s known for its simplicity, efficiency, and strong support for concurrent programming. Golang is widely used for developing web applications, data pipelines, and even machine learning applications.

Prerequisites

Before we start, ensure you have a running Ubuntu system and you have sudo privileges or root access.

Method 1: Installing Golang using APT

Ubuntu’s APT package manager provides an easy way to install software packages. However, the version of Golang available might not be the latest. Here’s how you can install Golang using APT:

Open your terminal and update your package list by running:
```
sudo apt update
```
This command fetches the package list from the repositories and “updates” them to get information on the newest versions of packages and their dependencies.
Install Golang by running:
```
sudo apt install golang
```
This command installs the Golang package.

Method 2: Installing Golang using Golang Backports PPA

If you need the latest version of Golang, you can use the Golang Backports PPA (Personal Package Archive). Here’s how:

Open your terminal and add the Golang Backports PPA to your system by running:
```
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:longsleep/golang-backports
```
This command adds the Golang Backports PPA to your system’s list of repositories.
Update your package list:
```
sudo apt update
```
Install the latest version of Golang:
```
sudo apt install golang-1.17
```
Replace “1.17” with the version number you wish to install.

Method 3: Installing Golang using Snap

Snap is a software deployment and package management system developed by Canonical. It allows you to install software and manage packages with isolation from the system. Here’s how you can install Golang using Snap:

Open your terminal and install Golang by running:
```
sudo snap install go --classic
```
The --classic option is used because the Go snap requires full access to the system, like a traditionally packaged application.

Verifying the Installation

After installing Golang, you can verify the installation and check the installed version by running:

go version

This command will output the installed version of Golang.

Conclusion

In this article, we covered three different methods to install Golang on your Ubuntu system: using APT, using Golang Backports PPA, and using Snap. Choose the method that best fits your needs.

Remember to always check the official Golang documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Happy coding!

Can I have multiple versions of Golang installed on my Ubuntu system?

Yes, you can have multiple versions of Golang installed on your Ubuntu system. Each version will be installed in a separate directory, and you can switch between them using environment variables.

How do I set the GOPATH environment variable?

To set the GOPATH environment variable, open your terminal and run the following command:

export GOPATH=/path/to/your/gopath

Replace "/path/to/your/gopath" with the actual path to your desired GOPATH directory.

How do I update Golang to the latest version?

To update Golang to the latest version, you can use the package manager or method you used for installation. For example, if you installed Golang using APT, you can run the following command to update it:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade golang

If you installed Golang using Snap, you can run:

sudo snap refresh go

How do I uninstall Golang from my Ubuntu system?

To uninstall Golang from your Ubuntu system, you can run the following command:

sudo apt remove golang

This command will remove the Golang package from your system.

Can I use Golang for web development?

Yes, Golang is widely used for web development. It has a built-in HTTP package that makes it easy to create web servers and handle HTTP requests. Additionally, there are many frameworks and libraries available for web development in Golang, such as Gin and Echo.

Is Golang suitable for concurrent programming?

Yes, Golang is known for its strong support for concurrent programming. It has built-in features like goroutines and channels that make it easy to write concurrent code. These features allow for efficient utilization of system resources and enable the development of highly concurrent applications.

Can I use Golang for machine learning applications?

While Golang is not as commonly used for machine learning as languages like Python or R, it is still possible to use Golang for machine learning applications. There are libraries available, such as Gonum and Gorgonia, that provide functionality for numerical computations and machine learning algorithms. However, it’s worth noting that the ecosystem for machine learning in Golang is not as extensive as in other languages.