$ git clone https://github.com/asdf-vm/asdf.git ~/.asdf --branch v0.12.0

Then, depending on what shell you use, load asdf at startup.

$ asdf plugin add erlang https://github.com/asdf-vm/asdf-erlang.git

Then install the latest version. The command bellow shows all available Erlang versions:

$ asdf list all erlang

Before compiling Erlang, you have to install build-time dependencies.

Also, since the Java interface is not used, you can disable it.

$ export KERL_BUILD_DOCS=yes
$ export KERL_CONFIGURE_OPTIONS="--disable-debug --without-javac"
$ asdf install erlang <VERSION>

Finally, set Erlang's version:

$ asdf global erlang <VERSION>

$ asdf plugin-add elixir https://github.com/asdf-vm/asdf-elixir.git

Then install the latest version. The command bellow shows all available Elixir's versions:

$ asdf list all elixir

The Elixir team offers pre-compiled binaries, thus you do not need to compile the language.

$ asdf install elixir <VERSION>

Finally, set Elixir's version:

$ asdf global elixir <VERSION>

If you want to navigate through iex's command history, add the following to the startup file of your shell (.bashrc or .zshrc)

export ERL_AFLAGS="-kernel shell_history enabled"