[Golang (Go)] Use asdf golang plugin to install multiple Golang (Go) versions

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asdf and Golang (Go) Plugin

asdf is a single CLI tool for managing multiple runtime versions. It extend with a simple plugin system to install your favourite language: Dart, Elixir, Flutter, Golang (Go), Java, Node.js, Python, Ruby …

This article is about how to use asdf and Golang (Go) plugin to install multiple Golang (Go) versions on macOS with the Homebrew package manager.

Prerequisites

  • Xcode Command Line Tools
    The Xcode Command Line Tools Package is a small self-contained package available for download separately from Xcode and that allows you to do command line development in macOS which is consists of the macOS SDK and command-line tools such as Clang, which are installed at this

    For more information about installing and using Xcode Command Line Tools, see the Xcode Command Line Tools

  • Homebrew
    Homebrew is the Missing Package Manager for macOS (or Linux).

    For more information about installing and using Homebrew, see the Homebrew - https://brew.sh/.

Installation

Install asdf

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# Install asdf dependencies
$ brew install coreutils curl git

# Install asdf
$ brew install asdf

asdf Golang (Go) Plugin

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# Install Golang (Go) plugin requirements
$ brew install openssl readline

# Install Golang (Go) plugin
$ asdf plugin-add golang https://github.com/kennyp/asdf-golang.git

List all Golang (Go) Version

Update Golang (Go) plugin.

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$ asdf plugin update golang

List all Golang (Go) versions.

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$ asdf list all golang

Install Golang (Go) version

Install a Golang (Go) version manually.

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$ asdf install golang 1.16

$ go version
No version set for command go
Consider adding one of the following versions in your config file at ~/.tool-versions
go 1.16

$ echo "go 1.16" >> ~/.tool-versions

$ asdf exec go version
go version go1.16 darwin/amd64

Or install another version.

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$ asdf install golang 1.15

References

[1] Manage asdf - https://asdf-vm.com/#/core-manage-asdf

[2] PatOConnor43/asdf-golang: golang plugin for asdf version manager https://github.com/asdf-vm/asdf - https://github.com/PatOConnor43/asdf-golang

[3] Home · rbenv/golang-build Wiki - https://github.com/rbenv/golang-build/wiki#suggested-build-environment

[4] Homebrew - https://brew.sh/