Install Go and check the version

Install on Linux

Before writing code, set up the toolchain once using the detailed guide install Go on Linux.

In short: unpack the release archive into /usr/local, add /usr/local/go/bin to PATH, and create a working folder for projects.

sudo tar -C /usr/local -xzf go1.21.linux-amd64.tar.gz

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

The second command extends PATH for the current shell only, so add the same line to the shell profile to keep it permanent.

go version

A fresh install should answer with its version number.

go version

go version go1.21 linux/amd64

If the command is not found, recheck PATH from the previous section and open a new terminal window.

GOPATH and PATH

PATH tells the shell where to find the go binary, while GOPATH points to the workspace with downloaded modules and helper binaries.

Modern Go works in any folder, so beginners can accept the defaults and inspect them only when something looks wrong.

go env GOPATH

/home/user/go

go env GOROOT

/usr/local/go

Keep it updated

To upgrade, remove the old installation tree, unpack the new archive into the same place, and verify the version again.

sudo rm -rf /usr/local/go

sudo tar -C /usr/local -xzf go1.21.linux-amd64.tar.gz

go version

go version go1.21 linux/amd64

Next: Your first Go program

Article author: Arthur Isaev