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How to resolve go get unrecognized import path error?

Cowrie
Cowrie
Dev @ Bswen

How to resolve unrecognized import path error when doing go get with Golang?

Problem

When you want to download a Golang dependency from a repository or GitHub, you might encounter this error:

Terminal window
go get -u github.com/prometheus/client_golang/prometheus
go: golang.org/x/[email protected]: unrecognized import path "golang.org/x/sys": https fetch: Get "https://golang.org/x/sys?go-get=1": dial tcp 216.239.37.1:443: i/o timeout

The -u flag means:

The -u flag instructs get to update modules providing dependencies of packages named on the command line to use newer minor or patch releases when available. Continuing the previous example, ‘go get -u A’ will use the latest A with B v1.3.1 (not B v1.2.3). If B requires module C, but C does not provide any packages needed to build packages in A (not including tests), then C will not be updated.

Here, we tried to download a Prometheus library from Golang but got the unrecognized import path error.

Solution

To resolve this issue, you should specify a proxy before running the go get command. Use the following command:

Terminal window
export GOPROXY=https://goproxy.io

What is a GOPROXY?

By default, the go command downloads modules directly from VCSs. The GOPROXY environment variable allows further control over the download source. It configures the go command to use a Go module proxy.

By setting the GOPROXY environment variable to a Go module proxy, you can overcome several disadvantages:

  • The Go module proxy caches and stores all dependencies forever (in immutable storage), eliminating the need for a vendor/ folder.
  • Removing the vendor/ folder reduces repository size.
  • Dependencies stored in immutable storage are protected from disappearing from the internet.
  • Go modules cannot be overridden or deleted once stored in the proxy, protecting against malicious code injection.
  • No VCS tools are required for dependency downloads, as dependencies are served over HTTP.
  • Dependency resolution and downloads are significantly faster due to reduced overhead.

What is goproxy.io?

goproxy.io is a global proxy for Go modules. It is one of the world’s earliest Go module mirror proxy services, developed and maintained by a group of open-source enthusiasts and Go language lovers.

image-20200831174207542

You can set up goproxy.io using the following commands:

For macOS/Linux Users:

~/.profile
# Add environment to your profile
echo "export GOPROXY=https://goproxy.io" >> ~/.profile && source ~/.profile


# If your terminal is zsh, use the command below
echo "export GOPROXY=https://goproxy.io" >> ~/.zshrc && source ~/.zshrc

For Windows Users:

  1. Right-click This PC -> Properties -> Advanced system settings -> Environment Variables.
  2. Click New in Environment Variables.
  3. Input Variable Name: GOPROXY.
  4. Input Variable Value: https://goproxy.io.
  5. Click OK to save your settings.

Run Again

After setting up the proxy, run the following command:

Terminal window
go get -u github.com/prometheus/client_golang/prometheus


go: downloading github.com/prometheus/client_golang v1.7.1
go: found github.com/prometheus/client_golang/prometheus in github.com/prometheus/client_golang v1.7.1
go: downloading github.com/prometheus/procfs v0.1.3
go: downloading github.com/prometheus/common v0.10.0
go: downloading github.com/golang/protobuf v1.4.2
go: downloading github.com/beorn7/perks v1.0.1
go: downloading github.com/cespare/xxhash/v2 v2.1.1
go: downloading github.com/prometheus/client_model v0.2.0
go: downloading golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200615200032-f1bc736245b1
go: downloading google.golang.org/protobuf v1.23.0
go: downloading github.com/matttproud/golang_protobuf_extensions v1.0.1
go: github.com/golang/protobuf upgrade => v1.4.2
go: github.com/beorn7/perks upgrade => v1.0.1
go: golang.org/x/sys upgrade => v0.0.0-20200828194041-157a740278f4
go: github.com/prometheus/procfs upgrade => v0.1.3
go: github.com/prometheus/common upgrade => v0.13.0
go: github.com/prometheus/client_model upgrade => v0.2.0
go: google.golang.org/protobuf upgrade => v1.25.0
go: downloading golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20200828194041-157a740278f4
go: downloading google.golang.org/protobuf v1.25.0
go: downloading github.com/prometheus/common v0.13.0

The job is now completed successfully.

Summary

This post explained how to resolve the “unrecognized import path” error when using go get in Golang. By setting up a Go module proxy like goproxy.io, you can ensure faster and more reliable dependency management. The proxy caches dependencies, protects against dependency loss, and eliminates the need for a vendor/ folder. Whether you’re using macOS, Linux, or Windows, setting up goproxy.io is straightforward and highly beneficial for your Go projects.

Final Words + More Resources

My intention with this article was to help others who might be considering solving such a problem. So I hope that’s been the case here. If you still have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me by email: Email me

Here are also the most important links from this article along with some further resources that will help you in this scope:

Oh, and if you found these resources useful, don’t forget to support me by starring the repo on GitHub!

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