SQLAlchemy ORM get() returns None even though the entity exists

If the get() method of SQLAlchemy's ORM is returning None even though the entity exists in the database, there could be several reasons for this behavior. Here are some common scenarios and potential solutions:

1. Incorrect Primary Key Value:

   • get() method retrieves records by their primary key. Ensure that you are passing the correct primary key value to the get() method. If the primary key value does not match any record in the database, get() will return None.

2. Transactional Issue:

   • Check if there are any pending transactions that have not been committed. If you create or modify the entity and it hasn't been committed to the database yet, get() might not find it since it queries the database directly.

3. Different Session Contexts:

   • If the entity was added to the database in a different session context (different SQLAlchemy session), get() might not be able to find it in the current session.

4. Custom Primary Key:

   • If you have a custom primary key and it's not set correctly or not defined in the model class, get() may not work as expected.

5. Soft Deletion:

   • If there is a soft deletion mechanism in place (using a flag to mark records as deleted instead of physically deleting them), the get() method might not return the entity if it has been marked as deleted.

6. Table Name or Schema Issue:

   • Ensure that you are using the correct table name or schema (if applicable) when calling the get() method. If the table name or schema is incorrect, get() won't find the entity.

7. Inheritance Mapping:

   • If your model uses inheritance mapping (single table, joined table, or other strategies), there might be issues related to the way SQLAlchemy handles inheritance.

To troubleshoot the issue, consider the following steps:

1. Double-check the primary key value you are passing to get().
2. Verify that the entity is present in the database by querying with other methods like filter().
3. Check if there are any pending transactions or if the entity was created/modified in the same session.
4. If you are using a custom primary key, ensure it is set correctly and defined in the model class.
5. If soft deletion is in place, check the flag used for marking deleted records.
6. Check if the table name and schema are correct.
7. Review any inheritance mapping configurations, if applicable.

If you are still facing issues after checking these aspects, you might need to share more information about your SQLAlchemy code, model definitions, and database schema for further assistance.