Go get vs. go install: When to Use Each Command?

Understanding the Differences Between go get and go install

In the realm of Go development, two prominent commands often leave developers wondering about their distinct roles: go get and go install. While these commands share the same ultimate goal of installing software, their functionalities differ in subtle yet significant ways.

go get: The Comprehensive Solution

go get serves as a comprehensive command that undertakes three crucial operations:

1. Downloading: It fetches the source code of the necessary software from its respective repository.
2. Compiling: It transforms the downloaded source code into a binary executable.
3. Installing: It places the compiled binary in the designated location within the system.

go install: The Minimal Approach

In contrast to go get's multifaceted functionality, go install assumes that the source code has already been downloaded and is present locally. Its focus is solely on:

1. Compiling: It converts the existing source code into a binary executable.
2. Installing: It installs the compiled binary in the appropriate system directory.

Why Both Commands?

Given go get's extensive capabilities, it's understandable to wonder why go install continues to exist. However, in certain scenarios, go install offers specific advantages:

• Local Development: When working with local code, go get cannot distinguish between code that should be downloaded and code that is already present. To avoid unnecessary downloads, go install provides a more granular approach.
• Dependency Management: When making local modifications to a dependency, go get cannot rebuild the modified dependency without downloading it first. go install, however, enables developers to rebuild the modified dependency without an additional download step.

Conclusion

go get and go install complement each other, serving different purposes in the Go development workflow. go get facilitates the entire process of acquiring, compiling, and installing software, while go install focuses solely on compiling and installing from existing source code. Understanding these distinctions allows for an optimized and efficient development experience.

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