How to solve pywhatkit KeyError in python?

If you come across a KeyError when working with pywhatkit - a popular Python library for automating tasks like sending Whatsapp messages, playing Youtube videos, or searching Google - it means that you are trying to look up a key that does not exist in a particular dictionary. The article contains a lot of information about KeyError. We will try to understand the KeyError, how it happens most times, and how to fix it through troubleshooting and giving example solutions.

Understanding the KeyError

A KeyError in Python occurs when you try to access a key in a dictionary that is not present.

my_dict = {"a":1, "b":2}
print(my_dict["c"])  #KeyError: 'c'

In the context of pywhatkit, a KeyError can occur if you provide an incorrect key or the library expects a certain key that is missing.

Common Causes of KeyError in pywhatkit:

1. Incorrect Dictionary key: Accessing a key that does not exist in a dictionary.
2. Missing Parameters: Not providing all required parameters or using incorrect parameter names in pywhatkit functions.
3. Incorrect Input Format: Providing inputs that do not match the expected format or type.

Troubleshooting Steps:

a) Checking Installation Steps:

Ensure that 'pywhatkit' is installed correctly and imported without errors.

pip install pywhatkit

import pywhatkit as kit

b) Verifying Input Data

Ensure that the inputs provided to pywhatkit functions are correct and match the expected types and formats.

c) Debugging the code

Print the dictionaries and other data structures to understand their contents and identify the missing or incorrect keys.

Example Solutions

1. Verifying Input Data

If you're using pywhatkit to send whatsapp messages, ensure that you provide the correct phone number in the international format (with country code) and a valid message.

import pywhatkit as kit
try:
  phone_no = "+1234567890"
  message = "This is a text msg"
  if not (phone_no and message):
    raise KeyError("Phone number or message is missing")
  kit.sendwhatmsg(phone_no, message, 15,30)
except KeyError as e:
  print(f"KeyError occurred: {e}")

If the inputs phone_no and message is empty or not provided its leads to KeyError:

import pywhatkit as kit
try:
    phone_no = ""
    message = ""
    if not (phone_no and message):
        raise KeyError("phone_no or message is missing")
    kit.sendwhatmsg(phone_no, message,15,10)
except KeyError as e:
    print(f"KeyError occurred: {e}")

2. Debugging with Try-Except

Implement a try-except block to catch KeyError and print more details.

import pywhatkit as kit
try:
  pwk.search("Geeks for geeks")
except KeyError as e:
  print(f"KeyError occurred: {e}")

Conclusion:

KeyError in pywhatkit can be frustrating but is usually caused by input data issues or unexpected behaviour within the library. By following the troubleshooting steps and using debugging techniques, you can identify and resolve KeyError effectively. Always ensure to keep pywhatkit updated and check its documentation for any specific usage guidelines or changes in functionality.