The eget command is a tool that allows you to easily install prebuilt binaries from GitHub repositories. It simplifies the process of downloading and installing software packages by providing a convenient way to fetch and install the latest binary releases directly from GitHub.
Here’s a more detailed explanation of the eget command:
- Installing Software Packages: When using traditional methods to install software from source code, you usually need to clone the repository, compile the code, resolve dependencies, and perform other configuration steps. However, some projects on GitHub provide prebuilt binaries, which are already compiled versions of the software for specific platforms and architectures.
- Streamlined Installation: eget streamlines the installation process by fetching the prebuilt binaries from GitHub and installing them for you. It simplifies the setup and saves you from manually performing the steps involved in compiling and building the software.
- GitHub Integration: eget leverages the GitHub API to retrieve the latest releases or specific versions of the software package from the corresponding GitHub repository. It provides an easy way to browse available releases and choose the one you want to install.
- Platform and Architecture Support: eget ensures that you download and install the correct binary release for your platform and architecture. It detects your operating system and processor type, and then fetches the appropriate binary package from GitHub.
- Command-Line Interface (CLI): eget is primarily used from the command line, making it suitable for scripting and automation tasks. It provides a simple and intuitive command-line interface to fetch and install the desired software packages.
Here’s an example of how you can use the eget command:
$ eget owner/repository
In this example, owner/repository represents the GitHub repository from which you want to install the prebuilt binaries. The eget command fetches the latest release of the software from the specified repository and installs it on your system.
Please note that the actual usage and available options of the eget command may vary depending on the specific implementation or version you are using. It’s recommended to refer to the documentation or resources provided by the eget tool for more details on its usage and configuration.
eget Command Examples
1. Download a prebuilt binary for the current system from a repository on GitHub:
# eget zyedidia/micro
2. Download from a URL:
# eget https://go.dev/dl/go1.17.5.linux-amd64.tar.gz
3. Specify the location to place the downloaded files:
# eget zyedidia/micro --to=path/to/directory
4. Specify a git tag instead of using the latest version:
# eget zyedidia/micro --tag=v2.0.10
5. Install the latest pre-release instead of the latest stable version:
# eget zyedidia/micro --pre-release
6. Only download the asset, skipping extraction:
# eget zyedidia/micro --download-only
7. Only download if there is a newer release then the currently downloaded version:
# eget zyedidia/micro --upgrade-only