Registry / http-networking / python-http-client

python-http-client

library3.3.7pypypi✓ verified 27d ago

python-http-client is a simplified HTTP REST client library for Python, providing an easy-to-use interface for interacting with RESTful APIs. It is currently at version 3.3.7 and maintains an active release cadence with regular updates and fixes, often associated with Twilio SendGrid's services.

http-networking communication

pip install python-http-client

github ↗package ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · PYTHON-HTTP-CLIENT

python-http-client

http-networkingpythonv3.3.7

Install

1.5s avg

Import

103ms

Disk

16MB

Pass rate

10/ 10

Env Coverage10 / 10

glibc

3.9–3.13

musl

3.9–3.13

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

tested against v3.3.7 · pip install

no network on importno background threads

Install × environment matrix

Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux

musl

py 3.10–3.95 runs

installs and imports cleanly · install 0.0s · import 0.106s · 17.8MB

glibc

py 3.10–3.95 runs

installs and imports cleanly · install 1.5s · import 0.100s · 18MB

16MB installed

● package 16MB

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

Client

✓ from python_http_client import Client

✗ import http.client

The standard library's `http.client` is a different, much lower-level module. This library provides a higher-level, simplified interface.

This quickstart demonstrates how to initialize the `Client` with a base host and optional headers, then construct and execute a GET and POST request to a generic API endpoint using its dynamic path building and HTTP verb methods. It includes placeholders for API host and key, ideally read from environment variables.

import os from python_http_client import Client # Replace with your actual API host (e.g., "https://api.example.com") # Using httpbin.org for a simple example. HOST = os.environ.get('API_HOST', 'https://httpbin.org') API_KEY = os.environ.get('API_KEY', '') # For APIs requiring authorization def make_request(): try: # Instantiate the client with base host and optional headers # For an API like SendGrid, 'version' might be a parameter. client = Client(host=HOST, request_headers={ "Authorization": f"Bearer {API_KEY}" } if API_KEY else {}) # Example: GET request to /get endpoint # The _() method adds path segments dynamically # .get() performs the GET request print(f"\nMaking GET request to {HOST}/get") response = client._('get').get() print(f"GET Status Code: {response.status_code}") print(f"GET Response Body: {response.to_dict()}") # Example: POST request to /post endpoint with data data = {"message": "Hello from python-http-client!"} print(f"\nMaking POST request to {HOST}/post with body: {data}") post_response = client._('post').post(request_body=data) print(f"POST Status Code: {post_response.status_code}") print(f"POST Response Body: {post_response.to_dict()}") except Exception as e: print(f"An error occurred: {e}") if __name__ == "__main__": make_request()

Debug

Known issues

gotchaThe library utilizes a dynamic approach for building API paths and calling HTTP methods, using `client._('path_segment').method()`. This can be less explicit than other HTTP clients and might cause confusion if a path segment name clashes with an HTTP method (e.g., 'get') or a built-in client method.

fix

Be mindful of path segment names and understand the dynamic method resolution. Always consult the API documentation you are integrating with to correctly structure your calls.

affects: All versions

gotcha`python-http-client` internally uses the standard library's `urllib.request`. This means that lower-level HTTP errors (e.g., `urllib.error.HTTPError`) might be raised or wrapped, and direct inspection of the `Response` object's `status_code` and `body` is often necessary for comprehensive error handling, rather than relying solely on exception types for all HTTP status errors.

fix

Implement robust error handling that checks the `response.status_code` after a request and handles common HTTP status codes (e.g., 4xx, 5xx) appropriately. Leverage the `Response` object's attributes for detailed error information.

affects: All versions

gotchaFailing to set a `timeout` parameter when initializing the `Client` can lead to hanging requests if the remote server is unresponsive or slow. This can cause applications to freeze or consume resources indefinitely.

fix

Always provide a `timeout` value (in seconds) to the `Client` constructor. For example: `client = Client(host=HOST, timeout=30)`. Consider using separate connect and read timeouts for finer control if your application requires it, though the library's `timeout` parameter is a single value.

affects: All versions

gotchaAfter a successful HTTP request, attempting to access or process the `Response` object's body (e.g., parsed JSON) can lead to a `TypeError: 'dict' object is not callable` if the code incorrectly tries to invoke a dictionary as a function. This indicates a misunderstanding of the `Response` object's attributes or the structure of the parsed data.

fix

When handling the `Response` object, particularly its parsed body, ensure you are accessing attributes or dictionary keys correctly. For example, if `response.json_body` is a dictionary, access its elements using `response.json_body['key']` rather than attempting to call it like `response.json_body()`. Always confirm the type of the object you are interacting with.

affects: All versions

Errors

Common errors & fixes

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'python_http_client'

The 'python-http-client' library (installed via `pip install python-http-client`) is either not installed in the current environment or the import statement uses an incorrect module name.

fix

First, ensure the library is installed: `pip install python-http-client`. Then, use the correct import statement: `import python_http_client` or `from python_http_client import Client`.

AttributeError: module 'http.client' has no attribute 'Client'

The developer mistakenly imported Python's built-in `http.client` module instead of the external `python-http-client` library.

fix

Ensure the `python-http-client` library is installed (`pip install python-http-client`) and then import `Client` from it: `from python_http_client import Client`.

HTTPError: Missing URL Path

The `url_path()` method was not called on the `Client` instance before attempting to make an HTTP request (e.g., `post()`, `get()`), meaning the client doesn't know which endpoint to target.

fix

Call `url_path()` with the desired API endpoint path before making the request: `client.url_path('/path/to/endpoint').post(request_body='...')`.

ConnectionRefusedError: [Errno 111] Connection refused

The target API server actively refused the connection, typically because it is not running, is configured to reject connections, or a firewall is blocking access.

fix

Verify that the API server you are trying to reach is running and accessible from your network, and double-check the `host` parameter and any port numbers used in your `Client` initialization.

Upgrade

Version history

3.3.7latest on PyPI · released Mar 9, 2022

Audit

Dependencies

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Agent activity

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Resources

githubhttps://github.com/sendgrid/python-http-client ↗

packagehttps://pypi.org/project/python-http-client/ ↗