ImportError: Cannot Import 'COMError' from '_ctypes' in comtypes Library

[BasilcM]

I encountered an issue while working with the comtypes library in a Python 3.11 environment. The error occurs when trying to import the COMError class from the _ctypes module. Here are the details of the error message:

    import comtypes.client  # Importing comtypes.client will make the gen subpackage
    try:
        from comtypes.gen import SpeechLib  # comtypes

File ~/Documents/Jupyter Notebook/Speech/speechrec/lib/python3.11/site-packages/comtypes/__init__.py:28
    logger.addHandler(NullHandler())
    from ctypes import *
---> from _ctypes import COMError
    from comtypes import patcher
    def _check_version(actual, tlib_cached_mtime=None):

ImportError: cannot import name 'COMError' from '_ctypes' (/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.11/lib/python3.11/lib-dynload/_ctypes.cpython-311-darwin.so)

Getting an ImportError when importing the COMError class from _ctypes.

Additional Information:

• Python version: 3.11
• Operating system: macOS
• Python environment: Jupyter Notebook

Possible Causes and Solutions:

1. Compatibility Issue: It's possible that the current version of comtypes is not fully compatible with Python 3.11. I would recommend checking the comtypes documentation or GitHub repository for any known compatibility issues or updates related to Python 3.11. Additionally, try installing an older version of comtypes that is known to work with Python 3.11.
2. Installation Issue: The error might be caused by an incomplete or incorrect installation of comtypes. Try reinstalling the library using the command: pip install --force-reinstall comtypes.
3. Dependency Issue: It's possible that there is a conflict or missing dependency related to the _ctypes module. Ensure that all the necessary dependencies are installed correctly, and there are no conflicting versions of _ctypes or related modules.

Please note that these are general suggestions, and it's recommended to consult the comtypes documentation or seek assistance from the library maintainers for more specific guidance.

[junkmd]

This is why comtypes did not work in your environment.

• The _ctypes is a standard library.
  The _ctypes module is imported into the standard library ctypes module regardless of environments.
  And comtypes can import the COMError from the _ctypes in Windows env.

  • I have explored change histories of the _ctypes and the ctypes in cpython.
    From their first commits, the basic operating conditions of the _ctypes and the ctypes have not changed since the Python 2.5 era.

• To begin with, COM objects are unique to the Windows environment.
  https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/com/component-object-model--com--portal
  (And see this SO: what is the equivalent of COM in Mac OS?)
  (edited: ImportError: cannot import name 'COMError' from '_ctypes' (/usr/lib/python3.8/lib-dynload/_ctypes.cpython-38-x86_64-linux-gnu.so) python/cpython#103071 is similar to this)

• From the README.md,

  This package works on Windows only.

Therefore, comtypes would not work in the macOS env in even Python<3.11.

[junkmd]

When the drop_py2 version including #423 is released, this error will be a little easier to understand.