Resolving pthread_create failed: Operation not permitted Error When Building Go Image with CircleCI

Discover the solution to the `pthread_create failed: Operation not permitted` error encountered while building Go images with CircleCI. Learn how a simple Docker image update can fix the issue.
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Overcoming the pthread_create failed: Operation not permitted Error in Go with CircleCI

If you've been using CircleCI to build and push your Go images to Amazon ECR, you may have recently stumbled upon a frustrating runtime error: pthread_create failed: Operation not permitted. This problem typically surfaces when running the go mod download command during the Docker build process. It can be quite perplexing, especially if everything was functioning smoothly until a recent change.

Understanding the Issue

As detailed in the user’s experience, the error occurs at the point when go mod download is executed within the Docker file. Here is a condensed summary of the error details:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This error message usually suggests that there’s a problem related to the environment in which the Docker image is being built, particularly concerning thread creation permissions.

Analyzing the Changes

Upon further inspection, one crucial discovery was noted: a recent change in the Go image's architecture occurred around mid-June. This likely impacted compatibility leading to the error being surfaced in later builds. The user confirmed that no code changes were made on their end – hence the cause likely rested solely with the dependency images being utilized.

A Possible Cause

Architectural Changes: The Go Docker image was updated, which could have resulted in changes to how threads are handled or permissions needed. These updates can occasionally lead to unexpected issues if the runtime environment changes without code adjustments.

The Solution: Update the Docker Image Version

The simplest and most effective solution to this problem was to update the Dockerfile to use a newer Go image version. Changing to golang:1.19.1 solved the issue immediately.

Steps to Update Your Dockerfile

Open your Dockerfile: Locate the section of the Dockerfile where the base image is defined.

Change the Image Version: Modify the line where the Go image is referenced from:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

to

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Save and Build: Save the changes and initiate a new build process through CircleCI.

By verifying that the new version works smoothly, the deployment can now proceed without issues.

Conclusion

Runtime errors like pthread_create failed: Operation not permitted can be quite challenging, especially when they seem to arise out of nowhere. However, keeping an eye on the changes made to the dependencies, such as Docker images, is crucial.

In this instance, a simple update to a specific Go image version effectively mitigated the issue.

If you encounter similar problems, always consider checking version histories and change logs of the Docker images you are using. Happy coding!