Jenkins Pipeline Fails with "NoSuchMethodError" in Shared Library Function

One rare but critical issue with Jenkins occurs when a pipeline fails with the error message NoSuchMethodError when trying to use a shared library function.

This error usually means that the shared library or function is not available in the environment, or the syntax has changed in a way that the pipeline cannot locate the method.

The first thing to check is the version of the shared library you’re using.

In Jenkins, shared libraries can evolve over time, and if the pipeline code is referencing a method that no longer exists or has been renamed in the latest version of the library, it will throw this error.

To solve this, check the version of the shared library defined in your pipeline configuration.

If you’re using a specific version, verify that it matches the version where the method is defined.

If the method has been renamed or refactored, you may need to update the pipeline code to use the new method name.

To ensure that the shared library is loaded correctly, make sure the @Library annotation in the Jenkinsfile specifies the correct version or branch of the library.

If you're using the default master branch, make sure that the method exists in that branch, as changes may have been made in other branches.

Another possible issue is related to the library's loading mechanism.

Sometimes, Jenkins may fail to load the shared library if the library itself is incorrectly configured or not accessible.

Verify that the library is configured correctly in Jenkins by navigating to Manage Jenkins > Configure System > Global Pipeline Libraries and ensuring that the repository and credentials are properly set.

If you're using a Git repository to store the shared library, ensure that Jenkins has proper access rights and that the repository is accessible from the Jenkins server.

Additionally, check for network issues or permissions problems that may prevent Jenkins from accessing the repository.

Sometimes, if the pipeline script is executed in a different workspace or Jenkins node, there could be discrepancies in the environment, causing the method lookup to fail.

Ensure that the pipeline script and the shared library are executed in the same environment or node.

Lastly, check for other Jenkins plugin conflicts, as some plugins might override the behavior of shared libraries.

A plugin update or misconfiguration could potentially cause issues with library loading or method availability.