Chapter 2. The Go compiler
The Go compiler is a build tool and dependency manager for the Go programming language. It offers error checking and optimization of your code.
2.1. Prerequisites
-
Go Toolset is installed.
For more information, see Installing Go Toolset.
2.2. Setting up a Go workspace
To compile a Go program, you need to set up a Go workspace.
Procedure
Create a workspace directory as a subdirectory of
$GOPATH/src.A common choice is
$HOME/go.- Place your source files into your workspace directory.
Set the location of your workspace directory as an environment variable to the
$HOME/.bashrcfile by running:$ echo 'export GOPATH=<workspace_dir>' >> $HOME/.bashrc $ source $HOME/.bashrcReplace <workspace_dir> with the name of your workspace directory.
Additional resources
2.3. Compiling a Go program
You can compile your Go program using the Go compiler. The Go compiler creates an executable binary file as a result of compiling.
Prerequisites
-
A set up Go workspace.
For information on how to set up a workspace, see Setting up a Go workspace.
Procedure
In your project directory, run:
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7:
$ scl enable go-toolset-1.17 'go build <output_file>'-
Replace
<output_file<with the desired name of your output file and<go_main_package>with the name of your main package.
-
Replace
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:
$ go build <output_file>-
Replace
<output_file>with the desired name of your output file and<go_main_package>with the name of your main package.
-
Replace
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:
$ go build <output_file>-
Replace
<output_file>with the desired name of your output file and<go_main_package>with the name of your main package.
-
Replace
2.4. Running a Go program
The Go compiler creates an executable binary file as a result of compiling. Complete the following steps to execute this file and run your program.
Prerequisites
-
Your program is compiled.
For more information on how to compile your program, see Compiling a Go program.
Procedure
To run your program, run in the directory containing the executable file:
$ ./<file_name>-
Replace
<file_name>with the name of your executable file.
2.5. Installing compiled Go projects
You can install already compiled Go projects to use their executable files and libraries in further Go projects. After installation, the executable files and libraries of the project are copied to according directories in the Go workspace. Its dependencies are installed as well.
Prerequisites
-
A Go workspace.
For more information, see Setting up a Go workspace.
Procedure
To install a Go project, run:
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7:
$ scl enable go-toolset-1.17 'go install <go_project>'-
Replace
<go_project>with the name of the Go project you want to install.
-
Replace
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:
$ go install <go_project>-
Replace
<go_project>with the name of the Go project you want to install.
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Replace
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:
$ go install <go_project>-
Replace
<go_project>with the name of the Go project you want to install.
-
Replace
2.6. Downloading and installing Go projects
You can download and install third-party Go projects from online resources to use their executable files and libraries in further Go projects. After installation, the executable files and libraries of the project are copied to according directories in the Go workspace. Its dependencies are installed as well.
Prerequisites
-
A Go workspace.
For more information, see Setting up a Go workspace.
Procedure
To download and install a Go project, run:
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7:
$ scl enable go-toolset-1.17 'go get <third_party_go_project>'-
Replace
<third_party_go_project>with the name of the project you want to download.
-
Replace
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:
$ go get <third_party_go_project>-
Replace
<third_party_go_project>with the name of the project you want to download.
-
Replace
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:
$ go get <third_party_go_project>-
Replace
<third_party_go_project>with the name of the project you want to download.
-
Replace
For information on possible values of third-party projects, run:
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7:
$ scl enable go-toolset-1.17 'go help importpath'
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:
$ go help importpath
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:
$ go help importpath
2.7. Additional resources
- For more information on the Go compiler, see the official Go documentation.
To display the
helpindex included in Go Toolset, run:On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7:
$ scl enable go-toolset-1.17 'go help'
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:
$ go help
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:
$ go help
To display documentation for specific Go packages, run:
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7:
$ scl enable go-toolset-1.17 'go doc <package_name>'On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8:
$ go doc <package_name>On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9:
$ go doc <package_name>See Go packages for an overview of Go packages.
