How to install GoLand on a Chromebook in 2024

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing GoLand on your Chromebook. GoLand is a powerful Integrated Development Environment (IDE) specifically designed for Go programming, offering features like code completion, refactoring, and debugging that can significantly enhance your coding experience.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, it's important to note that this tutorial is compatible only with Chromebooks that have an Intel or AMD CPU and support Linux Apps. Unfortunately, Chromebooks with ARM64 architecture CPUs are not supported for this installation.

Video Tutorial

For a visual guide, please refer to the video tutorial above. It provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the installation process, complementing the written instructions in this post.

Installation Steps

Follow these steps to install GoLand on your Chromebook:

  1. Update your package list:
    sudo apt update
  2. Install the necessary dependencies:
    sudo apt install kmenuedit default-jdk

    This command installs kmenuedit (a menu editor) and the default Java Development Kit, which GoLand requires to run.

  3. Download the GoLand package:
    wget https://download.jetbrains.com/go/goland-2024.1.1.tar.gz

    This downloads the latest version of GoLand (as of the time of writing). Always check the official GoLand website for the most recent version.

  4. Extract the downloaded package:
    tar -xf goland-2024.1.1.tar.gz
  5. Launch GoLand:
    ./GoLand-2024.1.1/bin/goland.sh

    This command starts GoLand. You may want to create a desktop shortcut for easier access in the future.

  6. Create a menu entry (optional):
    kmenuedit

    This opens the menu editor, allowing you to create a shortcut for GoLand in your application menu.

Additional Information

GoLand offers a 30-day free trial, after which you'll need to purchase a license to continue using it. However, JetBrains (the company behind GoLand) offers free licenses for students and teachers, as well as discounted options for startups and open-source projects.

If you're new to Go programming, GoLand can be an excellent tool to accelerate your learning. It provides features like code completion, refactoring tools, and an integrated debugger that can help you write better code more efficiently.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues during the installation process, here are a few tips:

  • Ensure your Chromebook's Linux environment is up-to-date by running sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade before starting the installation.
  • If you receive a "command not found" error, make sure you're in the correct directory when running the GoLand launch script.
  • For any persistent issues, consult the Google Doc used in the tutorial for additional guidance.

Remember, if you have any questions or run into any problems, please don't hesitate to ask for help in the comments section of the YouTube video. We're here to assist you!

Useful Resources

We hope this guide helps you get started with GoLand on your Chromebook. Happy coding!

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