How to Use the 'eget' Command (with Examples)

The eget command is a versatile tool designed for easily installing prebuilt binaries from GitHub. It streamlines the process of downloading and installing software by providing a simple command-line interface that accesses GitHub releases. Whether you’re a developer looking to quickly test different versions of a tool or just need an easy way to manage software installations, eget can save you time and effort with its intuitive command options.

Use case 1: Download a Prebuilt Binary for the Current System from a Repository on GitHub

Code:

eget zyedidia/micro

Motivation:

This command is a straightforward example of how eget simplifies the process of downloading software from GitHub. If you need the most recent version of a tool, eget identifies your system’s architecture and operating system version to retrieve the appropriate binary. This is particularly useful for developers or system administrators who often set up new environments and need to quickly install their favorite tools.

Explanation:

• eget: This is the command that initiates the download.
• zyedidia/micro: This argument specifies the repository from which to obtain the binary. In this format, zyedidia is the GitHub user or organization, and micro is the repository name.

Example Output:

Downloading binary for micro version 2.0.10...
Installing micro...
Installation complete.

Use case 2: Download from a URL

Code:

eget https://go.dev/dl/go1.17.5.linux-amd64.tar.gz

Motivation:

Sometimes, binaries may not be hosted on GitHub, or you might already know the direct download URL for the software package you need. This eget command allows you to specify a URL directly. This can save time if you are grabbing files from a known and trusted source, making it ideal for setting up build scripts or automated deployment environments.

Explanation:

• eget: Initiates the download.
• https://go.dev/dl/go1.17.5.linux-amd64.tar.gz: This specifies the direct URL from which eget will download the binary file.

Example Output:

Downloading go1.17.5.linux-amd64.tar.gz...
Extracting files...
Installation complete.

Use case 3: Specify the Location to Place the Downloaded Files

Code:

eget zyedidia/micro --to=path/to/directory

Motivation:

By default, eget will save downloaded files in a standard location; however, there are scenarios where you might need to specify a custom destination for the installation. This can be useful in environments where software needs to be distributed to specific directories for hierarchical management or where you want to avoid cluttering the default directories. It’s also convenient for testing different versions without overwriting existing ones.

Explanation:

• eget: Initiates the download.
• zyedidia/micro: Specifies the GitHub repository.
• --to=path/to/directory: Indicates the directory path where the binary should be installed.

Example Output:

Downloading binary for micro...
Installing micro to /path/to/directory...
Installation complete.

Use case 4: Specify a Git Tag Instead of Using the Latest Version

Code:

eget zyedidia/micro --tag=v2.0.10

Motivation:

In software development and testing, there are times when you need a specific version of a tool rather than the latest release. This command example is valuable when consistency is necessary across development environments, or when ensuring compatibility with other software components that rely on known versions.

Explanation:

• eget: Initiates the download.
• zyedidia/micro: Specifies the repository.
• --tag=v2.0.10: Fetches the binary corresponding to the specified GitHub tag.

Example Output:

Downloading micro version 2.0.10...
Installing specified version...
Installation complete.

Use case 5: Install the Latest Pre-release Instead of the Latest Stable Version

Code:

eget zyedidia/micro --pre-release

Motivation:

Pre-releases are often used by development teams to test new features or updates before they become part of the stable release cycle. This eget command is perfect for early adopters, testers, or developers who want to be the first to try out new features and provide feedback before they reach the wider audience. Using the pre-release option can also help catch issues early in the deployment cycle.

Explanation:

• eget: Initiates the download.
• zyedidia/micro: Specifies the repository.
• --pre-release: Downloads the latest pre-release version available.

Example Output:

Downloading latest pre-release for micro...
Installing pre-release version...
Installation complete.

Use case 6: Only Download the Asset, Skipping Extraction

Code:

eget zyedidia/micro --download-only

Motivation:

When performing setups where you are only interested in obtaining the raw file—say for archiving purposes, manual inspection, or redistribution—you might want to omit the extraction stage. This is useful if you’re handling the binary as part of a larger multi-step process where extraction is managed manually or differently.

Explanation:

• eget: Initiates the download.
• zyedidia/micro: Specifies the repository.
• --download-only: Downloads the asset but skips the extraction and installation steps.

Example Output:

Downloading binary for micro...
Download complete. Extraction skipped.

Use case 7: Only Download if There is a Newer Release than the Currently Downloaded Version

Code:

eget zyedidia/micro --upgrade-only

Motivation:

Updating software can often be redundant and time-consuming if no new versions exist beyond what is already installed. The --upgrade-only option ensures efficiency in keeping software up-to-date by only fetching a new file if a fresher release is available. This is especially useful in environments maintaining multiple systems that need regular updates without unnecessary downloads.

Explanation:

• eget: Initiates the command.
• zyedidia/micro: Specifies the repository.
• --upgrade-only: Downloads only if the latest available version is newer than the one currently installed.

Example Output:

Checking for newer versions of micro...
No newer version found. Skipping download.

Conclusion:

The eget command, with its comprehensive options, offers a powerful yet straightforward method for managing software binaries from GitHub repositories. By streamlining installations and updates, users save considerable time and effort in software management tasks, whether administrating systems, engaging in software development, or simply maintaining personal tools. These examples showcase the command’s versatility, making it an invaluable tool in any tech enthusiast’s toolkit.