Object of Type bytes is Not JSON Serializable: Handling and Solutions for Python Developers

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Summary: Learn how to resolve the "object of type bytes is not json serializable" error in Python using `base64`. Comprehensive guide covering common frameworks like `FastAPI` and `Flask`
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Object of Type bytes is Not JSON Serializable: Handling and Solutions for Python Developers

Encountering the infamous error "object of type bytes is not JSON serializable" when working with JSON data in Python can be quite frustrating. Fortunately, there are effective ways to handle this problem, especially when using frameworks such as FastAPI and Flask.

What Causes This Error?

JSON, a commonly used data interchange format, inherently supports basic data types like strings, numbers, and booleans. However, it doesn't know how to handle bytes objects, which are often encountered when dealing with binary data.

Example Scenario

Consider a scenario where you have a function that returns binary data, such as an image or a video file. When you try to serialize this data directly using the json module, you will encounter this error:

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Running this code will result in the TypeError: Object of type bytes is not JSON serializable.

Solution Using Base64 Encoding

A common workaround is to encode binary data using base64. This converts the bytes into a string, making it JSON serializable. Here's how to achieve this:

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Handling in FastAPI

In a FastAPI application, you might often find yourself dealing with binary uploads and downloads. To avoid the serialization error, you can use base64 encoding as shown in the example below:

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Dealing with Flask Applications

Similarly, in a Flask application, you can use the same base64 encoding approach to bypass the serialization issue. Here's an example:

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Conclusion

The "object of type bytes is not JSON serializable" error is a common hurdle when working with binary data in JSON serialization in Python. By leveraging base64 encoding, you can easily convert your binary data into a format that is JSON serializable. Whether you are using FastAPI or Flask, the base64 method offers a seamless solution to this problem, ensuring smooth data handling in your applications.