How to install python in a docker image?

Question

I want to create a docker image with selenium and chrome correctly installed, so I choose a base image with these properties. Therefore, the first line of the Dockerfile is as follows:

FROM selenium/node-chrome:3.7.1-argon 

Then the next command is

RUN apt-get update 

which created the following error while creating the docker image:

Step 4/19 : RUN apt-get update  ---> Running in af08ae07cbf3 Reading package lists... E: List directory /var/lib/apt/lists/partial is missing. - Acquire (13: Permission denied) The command '/bin/sh -c apt-get update' returned a non-zero code: 100 

How to be able to install python in this docker image?

Answer 1

RUN sudo apt-get update -y

RUN sudo apt-get install -y python

As hinted by:

Acquire (13: Permission denied)

I believe this is due to your base image:

https://github.com/SeleniumHQ/docker-selenium/blob/master/NodeChrome/Dockerfile

As you can see it swaps from the default user context of 'root' to 'seluser'.

You can either:

1. wear this as a consequence of the base image (i.e. use sudo)
2. swap back: USER root
3. or consider creating your own docker image to avoid swapping in the first place

Using sudo is best avoided in Dockerfiles where possible, so it would be preferable to go with option #2 or #3, rather than #1.

Hope that helps mate.