Python: Apply function to values in nested dictionary

Question

I have an arbitrarily deep set of nested dictionary:

x = {'a': 1, 'b': {'c': 6, 'd': 7, 'g': {'h': 3, 'i': 9}}, 'e': {'f': 3}}

and I'd like to basically apply a function to all the integers in the dictionaries, so like map, I guess, but for nested dictionaries.

So: map_nested_dicts(x, lambda v: v + 7) would be the sort of goal.

I'm stuck as to the best way to perhaps store the layers of keys to then put the modified value back into its correct position.

What would the best way/approach to do this be?

Answer 1

Visit all nested values recursively:

import collections

def map_nested_dicts(ob, func):
    if isinstance(ob, collections.Mapping):
        return {k: map_nested_dicts(v, func) for k, v in ob.iteritems()}
    else:
        return func(ob)

map_nested_dicts(x, lambda v: v + 7)
# Creates a new dict object:
#    {'a': 8, 'b': {'c': 13, 'g': {'h': 10, 'i': 16}, 'd': 14}, 'e': {'f': 10}}

In some cases it's desired to modify the original dict object (to avoid re-creating it):

import collections

def map_nested_dicts_modify(ob, func):
    for k, v in ob.iteritems():
        if isinstance(v, collections.Mapping):
            map_nested_dicts_modify(v, func)
        else:
            ob[k] = func(v)

map_nested_dicts_modify(x, lambda v: v + 7)
# x is now
#    {'a': 8, 'b': {'c': 13, 'g': {'h': 10, 'i': 16}, 'd': 14}, 'e': {'f': 10}}

If you're using Python 3:

• replace dict.iteritems with dict.items

• replace import collections with import collections.abc

• replace collections.Mapping with collections.abc.Mapping

Answer 2

If you need it to work for both lists and dicts in arbitrary nesting:

def apply_recursive(func, obj):
    if isinstance(obj, dict):  # if dict, apply to each key
        return {k: apply_recursive(func, v) for k, v in obj.items()}
    elif isinstance(obj, list):  # if list, apply to each element
        return [apply_recursive(func, elem) for elem in obj]
    else:
        return func(obj)