Eoor: Troubleshooting PackageCompiler in Linux

When using PackageCompiler.create_sysimage in Julia on Linux, users may encounter an “eooor” or error. This issue can be perplexing, especially if the same process works flawlessly on Windows. This article delves into potential causes and troubleshooting steps for this error.

While “eooor” isn’t a standard error code, it likely signifies a broader problem within the PackageCompiler process on Linux. The error message ProcessSignaled(9) indicates the process received a SIGKILL signal, often meaning the process was terminated forcefully by the operating system, potentially due to running out of memory or exceeding a resource limit.

Let’s examine a specific case:

julia> versioninfo()
Julia Version 1.4.2
Commit 44fa15b150* (2020-05-23 18:35 UTC)
Platform Info:
  OS: Linux (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
  CPU: Intel(R) Xeon(R) Platinum 8269CY CPU @ 2.50GHz
...
julia> create_sysimage(:JuMP, sysimage_path="/home/yy/sys_test.so", precompile_execution_file="/home/yy/test.jl")
...
ERROR: failed process: Process(`...`, ProcessSignaled(9)) [0]

The user attempts to create a sysimage for the JuMP package, specifying the sysimage path and a precompilation execution file. However, the process fails with the ProcessSignaled(9) error.

Potential Causes and Solutions

Several factors can contribute to this error when using PackageCompiler.create_sysimage on Linux:

• Memory Limits: Creating a sysimage can be memory-intensive. If your system has limited RAM, the process might be killed due to exceeding available memory. Try increasing system memory or using a machine with more resources. Consider using tools like ulimit to check and adjust memory limits for your user.

• Disk Space: Ensure sufficient disk space is available in the target directory for the sysimage. A large sysimage might require substantial disk space. Check available disk space using the df -h command.

• Package Conflicts or Dependencies: Issues within the JuMP package or its dependencies could be contributing to the error. Try updating JuMP and its dependencies to their latest versions. You can update packages with ] update in the Julia REPL.

• Julia Version Compatibility: Ensure compatibility between your Julia version (1.4.2 in this case) and the PackageCompiler version. Check the PackageCompiler documentation for compatibility information. Update Julia or PackageCompiler if necessary.

• File Permissions: Verify that you have write permissions in the directory where you’re trying to create the sysimage (/home/yy/ in the example). You might need to use sudo or adjust file permissions with chmod.

Debugging Steps

To further diagnose the problem:

1. Examine the Precompile File: Carefully review the contents of your precompilation execution file (/home/yy/test.jl). Ensure it includes the necessary code to precompile the desired functionality of the JuMP package.

2. Simplify the Process: Try creating a minimal sysimage with only essential packages to isolate the issue. This helps determine if the problem is specific to JuMP or a more general issue with PackageCompiler.

3. Check System Logs: Consult system logs (e.g., /var/log/syslog or journalctl) for more detailed error messages related to the process termination.

4. Run with strace: Use the strace command to trace system calls made by the Julia process. This can provide insight into resource usage and potential bottlenecks leading to the termination. For example, strace -f -e trace=open,close,read,write julia ... will trace file-related system calls.

By systematically investigating these potential causes and employing the suggested debugging techniques, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve the “eooor” when using PackageCompiler on Linux. Remember to consult the PackageCompiler documentation and online forums for additional support and guidance.