[Fixed] ImportError: cannot import name 'JSONEncoder' from 'flask.json' – Flask

by
Ali Hasan
flask llama-cpp-python mongodb python-venv

Quick Fix: Downgrading the Flask version may resolve the issue, but it is not recommended as it may lead to other problems. Instead, consider using an alternative library for MongoDB integration with Flask.

The Problem:

When importing from flask_mongoengine import MongoEngine, an ImportError is encountered, indicating that the name JSONEncoder cannot be imported from flask.json. This error occurs despite having the necessary packages installed in the virtual environment. The user is seeking a solution to resolve this import conflict.

The Solutions:

Solution 1: Downgrade Flask Version

Explanation:

The error is occurring due to a conflict between Flask and flask_mongoengine regarding the JSONEncoder module. flask_mongoengine appears to be outdated and incompatible with current Flask versions.

Solution:

To resolve the issue, you need to downgrade your Flask version to a compatible version. This may involve uninstalling your current Flask version and installing an older version. However, downgrading Flask could potentially lead to other compatibility issues.

Caution:

It’s important to be aware that flask_mongoengine is not actively maintained and may not be suitable for use in production environments. Consider exploring alternative solutions for MongoDB integration with Flask.

Solution 2: Upgrade Flask-MongoEngine

It seems the official repository for Flask-MongoEngine is not actively maintained. To resolve the issue, upgrade Flask-MongoEngine by installing a forked version from here:

https://github.com/idoshr/flask-mongoengine/tree/1.0.1

To perform the upgrade:

  1. Uninstall the current version:

    pip uninstall flask-mongoengine
    
  2. Install the forked version:

    pip install git+https://github.com/idoshr/[email protected]
    

Solution 3: Downgrading Flask Version

The error can be resolved by downgrading the Flask version to 2.2.5 using the following command:

pip install flask==2.2.5

This downgrades the Flask version and resolves the incompatibility issue with flask-mongoengine.

Q&A

Downgrading Flask is the only solution to the issue?

Fork of flask-mongoengine is now updated and stable to use.

Is there a way to fix the ImportError?

If you have been using the official library and getting the ImportError, try installing using a fork instead.

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