Go is a versatile programming language used for a range of applications including complex backends, web applications, and cloud native applications.
You can run Go on your computer using the following two methods:
- Run Go online
- Install Go on your computer
In this tutorial, you will learn both methods.
Run Go Online
To run Go code, you must have the Go compiler installed on your system. However, if you want to start immediately, you can use our free online Go compiler.
The online editor enables you to run Go code directly in your browser—no installation required.
Install Go on Your Computer
For those who prefer to install C# on your computer, this guide will walk you through the installation process on Windows, macOS, or Linux (Ubuntu).
To install Go on your Windows, just follow these steps:
- Install VS Code
- Check Go version
- Download the Go Installer File
- Run the Installer
- Verify Your Installation
Here is a detailed explanation of each of the steps:
Step 1: Install VS Code
Go to the VS Code official website and download the Windows installer. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the installation process.
Click Finish to complete the installation process.
Step 2: Check Go Version
To build and run Go applications, you need Go installed on your Windows machine.
You can check if Go is already installed and verify the installed version by using the following command in the Command Prompt:
go version
If the command returns a version, you have the Go installed; if not, proceed to download and install Go.
Step 3: Download the Go Installer File
Visit the Go Download page and click on the download button, then choose the installer for Windows.
Simply click on the recommended download link to get the correct installer.
Step 4: Run the Installer
After the download is complete, look for the file you just downloaded. Double-click the file to open the installer.
A setup wizard pops up in the screen like in the following image,
Click on Next till your installation process starts.
Once the installation is complete, you will see this screen:
Click Finish to exit the installer.
Step 5: Verify Your Installation
Once the installation is complete, you can verify whether Go is installed correctly on your Windows machine by using the following command in the Command Prompt:
go version
Note: The version number might differ from the one above, depending on your installed version.
Now, you are all set to run the Go program on your device.
To install Go on your Mac, just follow these steps:
- Install VS Code
- Check Go version
- Download the Go Installer File
- Run the Installer
- Follow the Instructions
- Verify Your Installation
Here is a detailed explanation of each of the steps:
Step 1: Install VS Code
Go to the VS Code official website and download the zipped file. Once the download is complete, open the zipped file.
In Finder, open a new window and navigate to the Applications folder. Drag the VS Code application from the zip file into the Applications folder to install it.
You can now launch VS Code directly from the Applications folder.
Step 2: Check Go Version
To build and run Go applications, you need Go installed. You can check if Go is already installed by using the following command in the Terminal app:
go version
If Go is already installed and you are satisfied with the installed version, you can skip the remaining steps. Otherwise, follow the steps below.
Step 3: Download the Go Installer File
Visit the Go Download page and click on the download button, then choose the downloader for macOS.
Step 4: Run the Installer
Go to your downloads folder and run the installer you just downloaded.
Step 5: Follow the Instructions
You will be prompted to agree to the software license agreement, choose the installation location (we recommend using default location), and enter your administrator password.
Simply proceed through it.
Once the installation is complete, you will see this screen:
Click Close to exit the installer.
Step 6: Verify Your Installation
Once the installation is complete, you can verify whether Go is installed by using the following command in the Terminal app:
go version
Note: The version number might differ from the one above, depending on your installed version.
Linux has various distributions, and the installation process differs slightly from each other. For now, we will focus on Ubuntu.
To install Go follow these steps:
- Install VS Code
- Download Go
- Extract the downloaded file
- Add to environment variable
- Verify your Installation
Here is a detailed explanation of each of the steps:
Step 1: Install VS Code
Open the Terminal and type
sudo apt update
This command updates your package lists to ensure you get the latest versions of your software.
Proceed to install VS Code with
sudo snap install code --classic
Step 2: Download Go
Visit the Go Download page and click on the download button then choose the downloader for Linux.
Step 3: Extract the Downloaded File
Move to directory where the file was downloaded and run the following command:
sudo tar -C /usr/local -xzf go1.23.1.linux-amd64.tar.gz
Step 4: Add to the Environment Variable
To use the
go
command in the terminal, we need to add the Go binary to the environment variable. We do so using the
following command:
echo "export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/go/bin" >> $HOME/.profile
After the command is executed, restart your computer to ensure that the Go binary is successfully added to the environment path variable.
Step 5: Verify Installation
To ensure that the Go has been installed correctly, verify the installation by checking Go version using the following command,
go version
Now, you are all set to run Go programs on your device.
Run Your First Go Program
There are a few things you'll need to set up for running your first Go program.
- Install the Required Extensions in VS Code
- Create a Go file
- Write Your Go Program
- Run Your Program
Install the required Extensions in VS Code
Before you begin coding, ensure that the Code Runner and Go extension is installed in VS Code.
Open VS Code and click on Extensions on the left sidebar. Search for Code Runner and click on Install. The Code Runner extension will allow you to run and execute Go code within VS Code.
Similarly install the Go extension,
This extension provides Go language support, debugging, and more, helping you develop Go applications efficiently.
Create a Go File
In VS Code, Click on the File in the top menu and then select New File.
Then, save this file with a
.go
extension by clicking on
File
again, then
Save As, and type your filename ending in
.go. (Here, we are saving it as
main.go).
Write Your Go Program
Now that you have created the file, it's time to start coding. Open the
main.go
file and write the following code:
package main;
import "fmt"
func main(){
fmt.Println("Hello World!");
}
Run Your Program
Now it's time to run your first Go program. Click the run button at the top right of the VS Code Window.
You should see
Hello World!
output to the console.
Now that you have set everything up to run the Go program on your computer, you'll be learning how the basic program works in Go in the next tutorial.