An improvement over built in dictionary allowing you to access values using a `dot` notation.

dict_tools.py

import json


class Dict(dict):
    def __init__(self, **kwargs):
        super(Dict, self).__init__()
        for key, value in kwargs.items():
            self[key] = value # Takes advantage of __setitem__ logic

    def __json__(self):
        return json.dumps(self)

    def __getattr__(self, name):
        """Allow dictionary access with a 'dot' notation. e.g. user.name"""
        return self.get(name)

    def __setattr__(self, key, value):
        """Set dictionary values with a 'dot' notation. e.g. user.name='Jane Doe'"""
        return self.__setitem__(key, value)

    def __setitem__(self, key, value):
        if isinstance(value, dict) and not isinstance(value, Dict):
            value = Dict(**value)
        super(Dict, self).__setitem__(key, value)

Example:

user = Dict(first_name="Jane", last_name="Doe", age=20)
print(user.get("first_name")  # Jane
print(user.first_name)  # Jane
print(user["first_name]) # Jane

print(user.next_of_kin)  # None
user.next_of_kin = {"first_name": "John", "last_name": "Doe"}

print(user.next_of_kin)  # {"first_name": "John", "last_name": "Doe"}
print(user.next_of_kin.first_name)  # John