Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: Error when installing CouchDB on OS X Mountain Lion

CouchDB installation error on OS X Mountain Lion

Quick Answer: Try updating Homebrew and reinstalling CouchDB.

Error installing CouchDB on OS X Mountain Lion: When attempting to install CouchDB using Homebrew, users may encounter an error message indicating that Erlang version R15B03-1 is required but it's not found. This issue affects users running Mac OS X Mountain Lion and can be frustrating due to the complexity of resolving Erlang version compatibility.

This problem can arise even after uninstalling MacPorts, a package manager commonly used on Macs, which may lead to confusion about the correct installation process.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary cause of this error is that Homebrew is unable to find the required Erlang version R15B03-1. This can occur due to several reasons such as outdated or incorrect installation of Erlang, conflicts with other packages, or issues with the Homebrew formula.
  • Another possible reason for this issue could be the presence of uninstalled dylibs from previous installations, which may interfere with the Homebrew build process.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Resolving Erlang Version Compatibility

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Unlink the current Erlang installation using `brew unlink erlang`. This ensures that any conflicts or dependencies between the current Erlang version and CouchDB are removed.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Navigate to the Homebrew library directory at `/usr/local` using `cd /usr/local`. This allows you to modify the Erlang formula directly.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Checkout a specific version of the Erlang formula that is compatible with CouchDB. You can do this by running `git checkout 168742f Library/Formula/erlang.rb`. This will update the Erlang formula to match the required version for CouchDB installation.
  4. Step 4: Step 4: Reinstall Erlang using `brew install erlang`. This ensures that the updated Erlang formula is used during the installation process.
  5. Step 5: Step 5: Finally, reinstall CouchDB using `brew install couchdb`. This should resolve any remaining issues and complete the installation successfully.

Resolving Conflicts with Uninstalled Dylibs

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Run `brew doctor` to identify uninstalled dylibs that may be causing conflicts. This will provide a list of unnecessary libraries found in `/usr/local/lib`.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Remove the identified dylibs using `brew rm `. Be cautious when removing libraries, as this can potentially break other packages or applications on your system.

💡 Conclusion

To successfully install CouchDB on OS X Mountain Lion, it is essential to resolve Erlang version compatibility issues and any conflicts with uninstalled dylibs. By following the steps outlined in Method 1: Resolving Erlang Version Compatibility, you should be able to complete the installation process without encountering errors.

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