How do I SET the GOPATH environment variable on Ubuntu? What file must I edit?

👋 Hey there! Having trouble setting the GOPATH environment variable on Ubuntu? Don't worry, I've got you covered! In this guide, I'll walk you through the process step by step, so you can get back to your go gettin' without any hassle. Let's dive in! 💪

Understanding the issue

🔍 Before we jump into solving the problem, let's make sure we understand what's going on here. When you run go get and see the error cannot download, $GOPATH not set, it means that the GOPATH environment variable is not defined. The GOPATH variable specifies the root location where Go looks for your source code and binaries.

Checking your Go environment

🔧 To start, let's check your current Go environment by running the go env command. Open up your terminal and type:

go env

🤔 Take a look at the output. You'll notice a line that says GOPATH="", indicating that the GOPATH variable is indeed empty. Now, let's set it up!

Setting the GOPATH variable

1. Pick a directory: The first step is to choose a directory where you want to set your GOPATH. This can be any location on your system, but it's typically recommended to create a dedicated directory for your Go projects.

2. Edit your ~/.bashrc file: Open your terminal and type:

nano ~/.bashrc

📝 This will open up the .bashrc file in a text editor.

1. Add the GOPATH line: Scroll to the bottom of the file and add the following line:

export GOPATH=/path/to/your/chosen/directory

🔒 Replace /path/to/your/chosen/directory with the actual path to the directory you chose in step 1. For example:

export GOPATH=/home/yourusername/go

✨ Note: Make sure you replace yourusername with your actual username.

1. Save and close the file: Press Ctrl + X to exit the editor, then Y to save the changes, and finally Enter to confirm the file name.

2. Activate the changes: To activate the new GOPATH variable, run the following command in your terminal:

source ~/.bashrc

🚀 Yay! You've successfully set your GOPATH. Now, you can go back to your Go project and run go get without any issues. Happy coding! 🎉

Feeling stuck?

➡️ If you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to reach out for help. Comment below and let's shake off these technical hiccups together! 👯‍♀️

Share your success!

📣 Did this guide help you fix the GOPATH issue? Spread the knowledge and help others facing the same problem by sharing this post. Knowledge is power, my friend! 💪💡