How to Install Go on Ubuntu[3 Easy Methods]

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: June 23, 2024

Expert verified

Installing software on Ubuntu can sometimes be tricky, especially when it comes to programming languages like Go (Golang). If you’re looking for a straightforward way to get Go up and running on your system, you’re in the right place. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions to help you install Go with ease. Whether you’re new to coding or an experienced developer, this guide will ensure a smooth installation process. Let’s dive in and get Go set up on your Ubuntu system!

What is Go?

Go, also known as Golang, is a programming language created by Google. It was designed to be simple, efficient, and reliable. Go is often used for developing large-scale software applications because it compiles quickly, runs fast, and has a powerful standard library.

Importance of Installing Go on Ubuntu

• Fast Performance: Go is known for its speed. Programs written in Go run fast because the language is compiled, not interpreted. This means the code is translated directly into machine language that your computer can execute, making Go applications highly efficient.
• Ease of Use: Go has a clean and straightforward syntax, making it easy to learn and use. This simplicity helps developers write clear and maintainable code, reducing the likelihood of bugs and making it easier to collaborate with others.
• Strong Concurrency Support: Concurrency is a way to perform multiple tasks at the same time. Go has built-in support for concurrent programming, making it ideal for modern applications that need to handle many tasks simultaneously, like web servers or database systems.
• Large Community and Ecosystem: Go has a large and active community. This means there are many libraries, tools, and frameworks available to help you with your projects. Additionally, the community provides a wealth of tutorials, documentation, and forums where you can get help and advice.
• Integration with Ubuntu: Ubuntu is a popular choice for developers due to its stability, security, and ease of use. Installing Go on Ubuntu ensures you have a reliable environment to develop, test, and deploy your applications. The combination of Ubuntu’s robust system and Go’s powerful capabilities creates a productive development experience.

How to Install Go on Ubuntu 

That was the quick answer. For detailed steps for this method and two other methods to install go Ubuntu read the guide below:

1. Installing Go Using the Official Archive

Installing Go using the official archive is a reliable method to ensure you get the latest stable version directly from the source. This method involves downloading the Go tarball, extracting it, and setting up your environment. Follow these steps to Ubuntu install Golang.

1. Open a Terminal and execute the following command to update system packages:

sudo apt update

2. The command will update your system packages.

3. Run the following command to upgrade your system:

sudo apt upgrade -y

4. This will upgrade your system packages, ensuring you have the latest software.

5. Visit the official Go website by clicking here.

6. On the Go page, locate the latest stable release compatible with Ubuntu. Click on the appropriate download link to begin the download.

7. Open a Terminal and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the Go package.

8. Extract the package using the following command:

sudo tar -C /usr/local -xf goVERSION.linux-amd64.tar.gz

Replace VERSION with the version number you downloaded.

9. Next, you need to add Go binaries to your system’s PATH variable. Open the .profile file using a text editor:

nano ~/.profile

10. This command will open the .profile file in the nano editor.

11. Append 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

12. Save the changes and exit the text editor.

13. Finally, apply the changes to your current shell session by executing the following command:

source ~/.profile

14. Now you have successfully installed Go on Ubuntu.

15. To ensure Go functions properly, you need to set up the necessary environment variables. Execute the following command to create the Go workspace directory:

mkdir -p $HOME/go

16. The output will be:

17. Next, append the Go environment variables to the .profile file:

echo "export GOPATH=\$HOME/go" >> ~/.profile
echo "export PATH=\$PATH:\$GOPATH/bin" >> ~/.profile

18. Save the changes and exit the text editor.

19. Apply the changes to your current shell session by executing the following command:

source ~/.profile

20. Your environment is now properly configured for Go development on Ubuntu.

21. To ensure Go is correctly installed, execute the following command to check the Go version:

go version

22. The output should display the installed Go version, confirming a successful installation.

2. Installing Go Using APT Package Manager

Using the APT package manager to install Go is one of the simplest and most efficient methods, especially for users who prefer using Ubuntu’s package management system. This method ensures that Go is kept up-to-date automatically and integrates seamlessly with your system. Follow these steps to Golang install Ubuntu:

1. Adding the Go repository is the first step. This ensures you are getting the latest stable version directly from a trusted source. To add the Go repository, open your terminal and execute the following commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:longsleep/golang-backports

2. After adding the repository, update your package lists to include the new repository:

sudo apt update

Once the repository is added and updated, you can proceed with the installation.

3. To install Go, use the following command:

sudo apt install golang-go

4. After the installation completes, verify it by checking the Go version:

go version

You should see output similar to go version go1.x.x linux/amd64, confirming that Go is installed correctly.

5. Setting up environment variables ensures Go works seamlessly across different sessions and projects. Add the Go binary path to your PATH environment variable by editing your ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc file:

echo 'export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/go/bin' >> ~/.bashrc

6. Reload the shell configuration to apply the changes:

source ~/.bashrc

3. Installing Go Using Snap Package

Snap is a package management system that allows you to install applications in a self-contained environment. Using Snap to install Go ensures an easy and clean installation, with automatic updates and rollback features. Follow these steps to go install Ubuntu using snap:

1. Before you can install Go via Snap, you need to ensure Snap is installed on your system. If Snap is not already installed, you can install it using the following command:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install snapd

2. After installing Snap, it’s a good idea to restart your system to ensure all Snap features are properly initialized.

With Snap installed, you can now proceed to install Go.

3. To install Go using Snap, execute:

sudo snap install go --classic

The –classic flag ensures that Go is installed with classic confinement, allowing it more access to system resources.

4. After installation, it’s important to verify that Go is correctly installed and functioning. Check the installed version of Go by running:

go version

You should see an output similar to go version go1.x.x linux/amd64.

How to Uninstall Go from Ubuntu

Uninstalling Go from Ubuntu might be necessary if you need to switch versions, resolve conflicts, or simply free up system resources. This guide will walk you through a straightforward method to remove Go completely from your system, ensuring a clean environment for any future installations or updates.

1. Open your terminal.
2. Execute the following command to remove the Go directory:

sudo rm -rf /usr/local/go

This command deletes the entire Go directory and its contents.

3. Next, you need to remove the environment variables associated with Go. These variables tell your system where to find Go binaries and libraries. Open your ~/.bashrc file in a text editor (you can use nano or any other text editor):

nano ~/.bashrc

4. Look for lines that set the Go environment variables, such as:

export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/go/bin

Delete these lines.

5. Save and close the file (Ctrl + O to save and Ctrl + X to exit in nano).

6. Reload your shell configuration to apply the changes. This step ensures that the Go environment variables are no longer active:

source ~/.bashrc

7. Finally, verify that Go has been uninstalled successfully. Check if Go is still available by running:

go version

8. You should see a command not found message, indicating that Go has been removed from your system.

Best Practices for Optimizing Go Performance on Ubuntu

To get the best performance from your Go applications on Ubuntu, follow these best practices. Each tip is designed to help your code run more efficiently, making the most of your system’s resources. Lets explore:

• 🔄 Keep Go Updated: Regularly update Go to the latest stable version. New releases often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can make your applications run faster and more reliably.
• 🧹 Clean Up Dependencies: Regularly audit and remove unused dependencies from your projects. This reduces the size of your codebase, speeds up build times, and minimizes potential security risks.
• 🖥️ Monitor System Resources: Use monitoring tools like htop or vmstat to keep an eye on CPU and memory usage. This helps identify and address performance bottlenecks in your Go applications.
• 🏗️ Use Efficient Algorithms: Choose the right algorithms and data structures for your tasks. Well-designed algorithms can significantly reduce execution time and resource consumption.
• 🔒 Manage Goroutines Wisely: Limit the number of goroutines to prevent overwhelming the system. Use synchronization techniques like channels and mutexes to avoid race conditions and ensure smooth concurrent execution.

Ubuntu Install Go: Summing Up

In this guide, I’ve shown you how to install Go in Ubuntu using various methods, uninstall it when needed, and optimize its performance. By following these steps, you’ll ensure a smooth and efficient Go development environment on your Ubuntu system, making your coding experience more productive and enjoyable.

If you found this guide helpful, I recommend checking out a few more topics that can enhance your Ubuntu experience. 

• Learn how to fix the “You Have Held Broken Packages” error on Linux to troubleshoot and resolve common package installation issues. 
• Understanding how to install a specific version of a package using APT will help you manage dependencies more effectively. 
• Lastly, exploring how to install R on Ubuntu will expand your programming toolkit, especially if you’re interested in statistical computing and graphics.

Frequently Asked Questions