Install Erlang and check the version

Install on Linux

Open a terminal on Linux and install the erlang package with the system package manager. On Debian and Ubuntu the APT manager carries a recent OTP build that is good enough for this course.

After the install finishes, move on to the version check below.

sudo apt update

sudo apt install erlang

erl -version

A fresh install should answer with its version line. The emulator version follows the OTP release number.

erl -version

Erlang (SMP,ASYNC_THREADS,HIPE) (BEAM) emulator version 15.2

Elixir 1.18.2 (compiled with Erlang/OTP 27)

If the command is not found, close the terminal, open a new one, and try again.

Start the shell

The interactive shell is called erl, and it starts a local node with a prompt numbered from one. Type an expression, end it with a period, and the shell answers with the value.

The shell also shows the OTP release and the erts version on startup.

erl

Erlang/OTP 27 [erts-15.2] [64-bit] [smp:8:8] [ds:8:8:10]

Eshell V15.2 (abort with ^G)

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If you see a number like 27, the Erlang side works and you are ready for the next lesson.

Keep Erlang updated

To upgrade later, refresh the package lists and upgrade the erlang package. Then check the version once more to confirm the new build.

If you see a number like 27, the Erlang side works and you are ready for the next lesson.

sudo apt update

sudo apt install --only-upgrade erlang

erl -version

Next: erl: the interactive shell

Article author: Arthur Isaev