             return Data(bytes: key.cString, count: key.length)
         }
         self.decoder = {key, data in
-            return ""
+            return ["" : ""]
         }
         do {
             let dirpath =  NSURL(fileURLWithPath:path).deletingLastPathComponent?.path ?? ""

        }
    }
    
    open subscript(key: String) -> Any? {
        get {
            // return an appropriate subscript value here
            return objectForKey(key)

        return "<LevelDB:\(self) path: \(path)>"
    }
    
    open func setObject(_ value: [String : Any]?, forKey key: String) {
        guard let db = db else {
            print("Database reference is not existent (it has probably been closed)")
            return
