Resolving the FileNotFoundError for Beeline in Apache Airflow DAGs

Discover effective solutions for the `FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'beeline'` when using HiveOperator in Apache Airflow. Learn about environment variables and path configurations.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/69761943/ asked by the user 'user9492428' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/6391001/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/69764657/ provided by the user 'Jarek Potiuk' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/516701/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Troubleshooting the FileNotFoundError with Beeline in Apache Airflow DAGs

When working with Apache Airflow, encountering the error message FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'beeline' during the execution of a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) can be quite frustrating. This error typically arises when Apache Airflow attempts to call the Beeline executable and cannot locate it in the specified environment. In this guide, we will explore the reasons behind this issue and provide step-by-step solutions to resolve it.

Understanding the Problem

You have developed a DAG that uses the HiveOperator to interact with Hive and execute SQL queries. During the execution of your DAG, you receive the following error in the task logs:

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This issue usually points to a configuration problem related to the way the Airflow worker processes environment variables and paths when switching users.

The Relevant Code Snippet

Here is a simplified version of the relevant code from your DAG:

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Connection Configuration

You’ve noted that the new_hive_conn connection is specified as type "hive_cli", which is correct. However, when you call the command directly from the worker container, it works perfectly, suggesting that the Beeline executable is indeed available on the path for the airflow user.

Diagnosing the Cause

The core of the issue relates back to how the run_as_user feature operates in Airflow. When you specify run_as_user, Airflow uses sudo to switch to the desired user in a non-interactive manner. Here are some critical points to note:

Non-Interactive Mode: In non-interactive mode, sudo will not preserve the current user's PATH variable; instead, it defaults to a secure path defined in the /etc/sudoers file.

Secure PATH: The secure path often looks like this:

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This can lead to the Beeline command being unrecognized, as it may not be present in those paths.

Steps to Resolve the Issue

1. Edit the /etc/sudoers file

To resolve the issue, you can add the path where the Beeline executable is located to the secure_path in the /etc/sudoers file. Follow these steps:

Open the terminal in your worker container.

Use visudo to safely edit the file:

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Locate the line that defines secure_path and add the path to your Beeline directory. For instance:

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2. Alternative: Link Beeline to Secure Paths

As an alternative, you can also create a symbolic link to the Beeline executable in one of the directories defined in the secure_path. This method can be simpler and avoids any need to modify system files.

Create a link as follows:

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3. Restart Airflow Services

After making changes, don’t forget to restart the Airflow services to apply the updated configurations:

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Conclusion

Encountering the FileNotFoundError when executing a DAG in Apache Airflow can be a common obstacle for users employing Hive and Beeline. By understanding the interaction between Airflow, sudo, and the PATH variable, you can take the necessary steps to resolve this issue. Whether you choose to modify the /etc/sudoers file or create a symlink, these solutions will help you successfully get your DAG running without errors. Happy coding!