Solving the TypeError: How to Fix Argument Mismatch in Your Python Selenium Code

Discover how to resolve the `TypeError: init() takes 2 positional arguments but 3 were given` in Python Selenium with this detailed guide. Improve your web scraping script effortlessly!
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Understanding the TypeError in Python Selenium

If you're a Python developer working with Selenium for web scraping, you may encounter a frustrating error:
TypeError: init() takes 2 positional arguments but 3 were given. This often occurs when you pass the wrong number of arguments to a function or method. In this guide, we'll dive deep into this error and provide a clear solution to fix it, ensuring that your scraping script runs smoothly.

Let's get started by analyzing the context of this error.

The Problem

What Causes This Error?

The issue arises from trying to use Selenium's WebDriverWait with an incorrectly formed tuple when waiting for elements. In the code you’ve shared, the line causing the problem is:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Here, you are calling the presence_of_element_located method without properly formatting the argument as a tuple.

Breakdown of the Error Trace

The error happens in the get_info method of your Scraper class.

Specifically, within the WebDriverWait function.

The method presence_of_element_located expects a tuple consisting of a locator strategy and the locator itself, but it’s being called incorrectly with multiple arguments instead of a single tuple.

The Solution

To fix the error, you need to ensure that you pass a tuple to the presence_of_element_located method. Here’s how to do that:

Correct Code Implementation

Replace the incorrect line in your get_info function with this corrected version:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Note the parentheses: The locator is now correctly wrapped in an additional set of parentheses, making it a tuple.

Additional Explanation

Why Use a Tuple?: In Python, a tuple is a collection that is ordered and immutable. When working with certain functions that require multiple elements to be passed as a single entity, tuples are the ideal solution.

Understanding WebDriverWait: This is a Selenium feature that will wait for a specified condition to occur before proceeding. In this case, it waits for the element specified by the CSS selector to be present in the DOM of the page.

Conclusion

With just a small adjustment—guaranteeing that you're passing arguments in the correct tuple format—you can fix the TypeError and enhance your web scraping application. Remember, careful attention to detail in your argument structures is critical, especially when working with libraries like Selenium.

Feel free to reach out if you have more questions on web scraping or any other programming challenges! Happy coding!