Go Get vs. Go Install: When Should You Use Each Command?

Go Get vs. Go Install: Unraveling the Distinction

Go, a widely used programming language, provides two commands for managing external software: go get and go install. Although they share some functionality, they serve distinct purposes, each offering unique advantages within the Go development workflow.

Go Get: Fetching and Installing

Go get is the more comprehensive command, performing multiple operations in a single step:

• Downloads the software package from a remote repository.
• Compiles the source code into executable binaries.
• Installs the software into the system's package cache.

Go Install: Compiling and Installing

Go install, on the other hand, is a more focused command that solely focuses on compilation and installation. It assumes the source code is already present on the local system and only performs the following tasks:

• Compiles the source code into executable binaries.
• Installs the binaries into the system's package cache.

When Do You Use Each Command?

Understanding the difference between go get and go install helps determine which one to use in different scenarios.

• Use go get when:

  • You need to fetch and install a new software package.
  • You want to update an existing package to its latest version.

• Use go install when:

  • You want to compile and install a software package that is already present on your local system.
  • You have made changes to a locally downloaded package and want to install the modified version.

Example Workflow

Consider a scenario where you want to use a library but need to make a change to it. The recommended workflow involves:

1. Use go get -d library to download the library but prevent compilation and installation.
2. Make the necessary changes to the downloaded source code.
3. Use go install library to install the modified local version of the library.

This workflow allows you to work directly with a locally modified package while still benefiting from the Go module system.

Go 1.16 Update

In Go 1.16, the usage of go install and go get has been clarified. Go install is now the preferred command for building and installing packages, while go get is recommended for managing dependencies without building packages (using -d flag).

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