How to use the command 'go install' (with examples)
This article will guide you through various use cases of the command go install, along with their respective examples, motivations, explanations, and example outputs.
Command Description
The go install command is used to compile and install packages specified by the import paths. It compiles Go packages into executable binaries and places them in the $GOPATH/bin directory. Additionally, it installs any dependencies required by the packages.
Now, let’s dive into the different use cases of the go install command.
Use case 1: Compile and install the current package
Code:
go install
Motivation:
You may want to compile and install the current package you are working on. This use case is particularly useful when you have made changes to the package and want to test or use the updated version.
Explanation:
By running go install with no package path, Go will compile the current package and install it. It will produce an executable binary (if applicable) and place it in the $GOPATH/bin directory. If there are any dependencies required by the package, they will also be installed.
Example Output:
Assuming your current package is named example, running go install will compile and install the example package. The executable binary (example or example.exe depending on the operating system) will be placed in the $GOPATH/bin directory.
Use case 2: Compile and install a specific local package
Code:
go install path/to/package
Motivation:
Sometimes, you may have multiple local packages within a project, and you want to compile and install only a specific package. This use case allows you to compile and install the desired package without touching other packages in the project.
Explanation:
Running go install with the path to the package you want to compile and install will only compile that specific package. It will produce an executable binary (if applicable) and place it in the $GOPATH/bin directory. If there are any dependencies required by the package, they will also be installed.
Example Output:
Assuming you have a local package named path/to/package within your project, running go install path/to/package will compile and install only that package. The executable binary (package or package.exe depending on the operating system) will be placed in the $GOPATH/bin directory.
Use case 3: Install the latest version of a program, ignoring go.mod in the current directory
Code:
go install golang.org/x/tools/gopls@latest
Motivation:
When using Go modules, it’s common to have a specific version requirement for a program. However, there may be cases where you want to install the latest version, ignoring the version specified in the local go.mod file.
Explanation:
By appending @latest to the package import path, Go will ignore the version specified in the go.mod file and instead install the latest version available. This can be useful when you want to ensure you have the most up-to-date version of a program.
Example Output:
Running go install golang.org/x/tools/gopls@latest will install the latest version of the golang.org/x/tools/gopls program, regardless of the version specified in the local go.mod file. The executable binary (gopls or gopls.exe depending on the operating system) will be placed in the $GOPATH/bin directory.
Use case 4: Install a program at the version selected by go.mod in the current directory
Code:
go install golang.org/x/tools/gopls
Motivation:
In contrast to the previous use case, sometimes you want to respect the version specified in the local go.mod file and install the program accordingly.
Explanation:
By providing the package import path without appending @latest, Go will respect the version specified in the go.mod file and install that specific version of the program.
Example Output:
Assuming the version specified in the local go.mod file for golang.org/x/tools/gopls is v1.2.3, running go install golang.org/x/tools/gopls will install that specific version of the gopls program. The executable binary (gopls or gopls.exe depending on the operating system) will be placed in the $GOPATH/bin directory.
Conclusion
The go install command is a powerful tool for compiling and installing Go packages and their dependencies. Whether you want to compile and install the current package, a specific local package, or install a program with specific version requirements, go install has you covered. Use it wisely to streamline your Go development process and manage your package installations.
