In Python, we have some data structures like lists , tuples , and strings that use indexing to access individual elements or characters. And in indexing, we pass the integer index number of the element inside the square brackets preceded by the variable name.
When we access any character from a string using indexing, we need to pass the valid integer index number. If we pass any other data type such as string or float as an index number, we will receive the
“TypeError: string indices must be integers”
Error. I
n this Python error solution tutorial, we will discuss what this error is in Python, why it occurs, and how to solve it. We will also see some examples that will provide you with a better idea about this error.
The Problem: typeerror: string indices must be integers
Now let's get started with the error itself.
Error statement
Typeerror: string indices must be integers
-
Typeerror: That defines we are performing some invalid operation what Python data types. -
string indices must be integers: It is the error message, which is telling us that we are not using an integer value as an index to access the string character.
Reason
Python string is an iterable object and it supports both positive and negative index values to access its elements. The positive index value starts from
0 to n-1
, and the negative index value starts from
-n to -1
. Where
n
is the total number of characters present in the string. Python only supports integer index values for the string.
If we try to pass a string, float, or any other data type as an index value to access the string element, the Python interpreter throws the
typeerror: string indices must be integers
error.
Example 1
# given string
my_string ="Hello World!"
# access first character of string
print(my_string['0'])
Output
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "main.py", line 5, in <module>
print(my_string['0'])
TypeError: string indices must be integers
In the above example, we are getting this error because in line 5
print(string['0'])
we are accessing the
my_string,
first element using the index value
'0'
which is a Python string data type. But Python only accepts an integer index value, not a string. That's why we are getting this
string indices must be integers
error. If you read the error message carefully, it explains itself. It is simply saying that the index value must be an integer.
Solution
If you ever encounter this error in your Python program, all you need to do is go to the error line and check for the string access index value and make sure that it is an integer index value, not any other data type.
Example solution
Now let's solve the above example that was throwing the error. In the example, we are trying to access the first element of the string, but instead of an integer
0,
we used a string
'0'
index value.
Now let's change it back to an integer 0, and it will solve the error.
# given string
my_string ="Hello World!"
# access first character of string
print(my_string [0])
H
Final Thoughts!
Error debugging is one of the most important skills that every programmer should have. Debugging knowledge and reading error skills are as much as important as writing optimised logic for the Program. In this Python tutorial, we discuss the common Python type error
"string indices must be integers"
, which occurs when we pass an invalid index value data type instead of an integer. If you carefully read the error, you can tell yourself what the error is all about.
If you are getting this error in your Python program and still not able to debug it, you can share your Python code in the comment section. We will try to help you to debug it.
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