Django error Coercing to Unicode: need string or buffer

Question

i m getting this error:

>>> Child.objects.all()
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<input>", line 1, in <module>
    Child.objects.all()
    u = six.text_type(self)
TypeError: coercing to Unicode: need string or buffer, Main found

Whenever i try to pull an object from Child. i tried to use the unicode but it still gives me this error. I also commented the **def str ** thought that was a problem. I don't know what i can do about it? Please help

class Main(models.Model):
    website = models.CharField(db_column='Website', unique=True, max_length=250)
    main = models.CharField(db_column='Main', unique=True, max_length=100)
    tablename = models.CharField(db_column='TableName', unique=True, max_length=100)
    created_at = models.DateTimeField(db_column='Created_at')

    class Meta:
        managed = False
        db_table = 'Main'

    # def __str__(self):
    #     return self.main

    def __unicode__(self):
        return unicode(self.main)


class Child(models.Model):
    mainid = models.ForeignKey(Main, models.DO_NOTHING, db_column='MainID')
    day = models.IntegerField(db_column='Day')
    hour = models.TimeField(db_column='HOUR')
    created_at = models.DateTimeField(db_column='Created_at')

    class Meta:
        managed = False
        db_table = 'Child'

    # def __str__(self):
    #     return self.mainid

    def __unicode__(self):
        return unicode(self.mainid)

Thank you

which python version. Python 3 is unicode by default so why are u coercing the model into unicode? — saviour123
– saviour123, Commented Nov 23, 2017 at 11:31
Really, why not use python3? Anyways.. put this at the top of your script # -*- coding: utf8 -*- — saviour123
– saviour123, Commented Nov 23, 2017 at 11:57
then you should not have the unicode method in your class again. — saviour123
– saviour123, Commented Nov 23, 2017 at 12:25

wobbily_col · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-23 12:41:29Z

1

The problem is that you are passing a main object to the unicode function. It expects a string of a buffer, but you are giving it an object.

Try changing your __unicode_ method in the Child. (There are a few ways that will work)

class Child(models.Model): 
    ...
    ...
    ..

    def __unicode__(self):
        return self.mainid.__unicode__()

or this should work too by implicity caling the unicode method on the Main object.

     def __unicode__(self):
            return self.mainid

or this

     def __unicode__(self):
            return self.mainid.main

Not, that the __str__ method is what Python 3 uses whereas Python 2 uses __unicode__

edited Nov 23, 2017 at 12:41

answered Nov 23, 2017 at 12:35

wobbily_col

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5 Comments

Omega Over a year ago

i have tried all...and i also tried this: def __unicode__(self): return '%mainid' % {'mainid': self.mainid} It still gives me that error

Omega Over a year ago

I did remove the def _str_ from both of them

wobbily_col Over a year ago

If you are using the third, most explicit version, then it should be giving a different error, as that error wouldn't make sense.

Omega Over a year ago

k i got it...it doesn't give me anymore the error...its gives the column main from Main....when i refresh the page..it print's them out...but in the shell...it still gives me that error

Omega Over a year ago

And i just found out if you change something in models... you have reload the shell in order to take effect...just found out that now :))) Thank you

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