How to create inline objects with properties in Python?

Question

In Javascript it would be:

var newObject = { 'propertyName' : 'propertyValue' };

How to do it in Python?

Answer 1

I don't know if there's a built-in way to do it, but you can always define a class like this:

class InlineClass(object):
    def __init__(self, dict):
 self.__dict__ = dict

obj = InlineClass({'propertyName' : 'propertyValue'})

Answer 2

I like Smashery's idea, but Python seems content to let you modify classes on your own:

>>> class Inline(object):
...     pass
...
>>> obj = Inline()
>>> obj.test = 1
>>> obj.test
1
>>>

Works just fine in Python 2.5 for me. Note that you do have to do this to a class derived from object - it won't work if you change the line to obj = object.

Answer 3

obj = type('obj', (object,), {'propertyName' : 'propertyValue'})

there are two kinds of type function uses.

Answer 4

Peter's answer

obj = lambda: None
obj.propertyName = 'propertyValue'

Answer 5

class test:
    def __setattr__(self,key,value):
        return value


myObj = test()
myObj.mykey = 'abc' # set your property and value

Answer 6

It is easy in Python to declare a class with an __init__() function that can set up the instance for you, with optional arguments. If you don't specify the arguments you get a blank instance, and if you specify some or all of the arguments you initialize the instance.

I explained it here (my highest-rated answer to date) so I won't retype the explanation. But, if you have questions, ask and I'll answer.

If you just want a generic object whose class doesn't really matter, you can do this:

class Generic(object):
    pass

x = Generic()
x.foo = 1
x.bar = 2
x.baz = 3

An obvious extension would be to add an __str__() function that prints something useful.

This trick is nice sometimes when you want a more-convenient dictionary. I find it easier to type x.foo than x["foo"].