Copying values from a dictionary into an object in Python

Question

I have a dictionary that I would like to iterate through and copy the key-value pairs into an object in Python. The dictionary is POST, and the object is a Model (in Django, perhaps Django has better way to do this).

In PHP, I'd be able to use variable assignments:

foreach($post as $key => $value) {
    $my_model->$key = $value;
}

And in Javascript I could treat the object with array assignments:

for(var key in post) {
    my_model[key] = post[key];
}

However, I can't seem to do so in Python. The only way I've seen is by using the objects __dict__ property, and it feels ever so slightly dirty. Plus it can raise KeyErrors.

Answer 1

You can use setattr, but it's likely the wrong way to do it in your context. You should look at Django's ModelForms documentation first.

Answer 2

for key, value in post.iteritems():
    setattr(my_model, key, value)