Why Does ‘Int’ Object Is Not Subscriptable Error Occur?
The ‘Int’ object is not subscriptable error in Python arises due to specific characteristics of integer (int) objects. Here are reasons why this error occurs:
- Immutability of Integers
- Function Return Type Mismatch
- No Iterable Structure
Immutability of Integers
As we know that Integers in Python are immutable, meaning their values cannot be changed after creation and subscripting or indexing operations are applicable to mutable sequences (e.g., lists, strings), where elements can be accessed or modified using indices.
Since integers are not mutable sequences, attempting to use square brackets for subscripting results in the ‘Int’ object is not subscriptable error.
Python3
# Example triggering 'Int' object is not subscriptable error num = 42 value = num[ 0 ] # Error: 'Int' object is not subscriptable |
Output:
Hangup (SIGHUP)
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "Solution.py", line 3, in <module>
value = num[0] # Error: 'Int' object is not subscriptable
TypeError: 'int' object is not subscriptable
Function Return Type Mismatch
In this function is expected to return a list or tuple when condition is False, as indicated by the else branch.
However, in the else branch, the function returns an integer instead of a list or tuple which results in ‘Int’ Object Is Not Subscriptable error
Python3
def get_data(condition): """ This function is expected to return a list or tuple, but under certain conditions, it returns an integer. """ if condition: return [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] # Returns a list else : return 42 # Returns an integer # Function call with a condition that leads to an integer being returned result = get_data( False ) # Attempting to index the result, which is an integer in this case first_element = result[ 0 ] |
Output:
Hangup (SIGHUP)
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "Solution.py", line 15, in <module>
first_element = result[0]
TypeError: 'int' object is not subscriptable
No Iterable Structure
As we know integers lack the iterable structure required for subscripting. Iterable objects, such as lists or strings, have a well-defined sequence of elements that can be accessed using indices.
Attempting to use square brackets on an integer implies treating it as if it has iterable properties, resulting in the ‘Int’ object is not subscriptable error.
Python3
# Example demonstrating misinterpretation of syntax integer_value = 123 value = integer_value[ 0 ] |
Output:
Hangup (SIGHUP)
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "Solution.py", line 3, in <module>
value = integer_value[0] # Error: 'Int' object is not subscriptable
TypeError: 'int' object is not subscriptable
Fix ‘Int’ Object is Not Subscriptable in Python
In this article, we will study how to fix ‘int’ object that is not subscriptable in Python. But before that let us understand why it occurs and what it means.
What is ‘Int’ Object Is Not Subscriptable Error?
The error ‘int’ object is not subscriptable occurs when you attempt to use indexing or slicing on an integer, a data type that doesn’t support these operations.
As we know integer in Python is a data type that represents a whole number. Unlike lists or dictionaries, integers do not hold a sequence of elements and therefore do not support indexing or slicing.
For example, if x = 42 (an integer), and we try to do something like x[0], it’s an attempt to access the first element of x as if x were a list or a tuple. Since integers don’t contain a collection of items, this operation isn’t valid and you get a TypeError: ‘int’ object is not subscriptable.
Example
Python3
# Example causing 'int' object is not subscriptable error x = 42 # Attempting to use subscript notation on an integer print (x[ 0 ]) |
Output:
Hangup (SIGHUP)
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "Solution.py", line 4, in <module>
print(number[0])
TypeError: 'int' object is not subscriptable