python-box 7.3.3
Advanced Python dictionaries with dot notation access
License: MIT
Requires Python: >=3.9

|BuildStatus| |License|

|BoxImage|

.. code:: python

        from box import Box

        movie_box = Box({ "Robin Hood: Men in Tights": { "imdb stars": 6.7, "length": 104 } })

        movie_box.Robin_Hood_Men_in_Tights.imdb_stars
        # 6.7


Box will automatically make otherwise inaccessible keys safe to access as an attribute.
You can always pass `conversion_box=False` to `Box` to disable that behavior.
Also, all new dict and lists added to a Box or BoxList object are converted automatically.

There are over a half dozen ways to customize your Box and make it work for you.

Check out the new `Box github wiki <https://github.com/cdgriffith/Box/wiki>`_ for more details and examples!

Install
=======

**Version Pin Your Box!**

If you aren't in the habit of version pinning your libraries, it will eventually bite you.
Box has a `list of breaking change <https://github.com/cdgriffith/Box/wiki/Major-Version-Breaking-Changes>`_ between major versions you should always check out before updating.

requirements.txt
----------------

.. code:: text

        python-box[all]~=7.0

As Box adheres to semantic versioning (aka API changes will only occur on between major version),
it is best to use `Compatible release <https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0440/#compatible-release>`_ matching using the `~=` clause.

Install from command line
-------------------------

.. code:: bash

        python -m pip install --upgrade pip
        pip install python-box[all]~=7.0 --upgrade

Install with selected dependencies
----------------------------------

Box does not install external dependencies such as yaml and toml writers. Instead you can specify which you want,
for example, `[all]` is shorthand for:

.. code:: bash

        pip install python-box[ruamel.yaml,tomli_w,msgpack]~=7.0 --upgrade

But you can also sub out `ruamel.yaml` for `PyYAML`.

Check out `more details <https://github.com/cdgriffith/Box/wiki/Installation>`_ on installation details.

Box 7 is tested on python 3.7+, if you are upgrading from previous versions, please look through
`any breaking changes and new features <https://github.com/cdgriffith/Box/wiki/Major-Version-Breaking-Changes>`_.

Optimized Version
-----------------

Box has introduced Cython optimizations for major platforms by default.
Loading large data sets can be up to 10x faster!

If you are **not** on a x86_64 supported system you will need to do some extra work to install the optimized version.
There will be an warning of "WARNING: Cython not installed, could not optimize box" during install.
You will need python development files, system compiler, and the python packages `Cython` and `wheel`.

**Linux Example:**

First make sure you have python development files installed (`python3-dev` or `python3-devel` in most repos).
You will then need `Cython` and `wheel` installed and then install (or re-install with `--force`) `python-box`.

.. code:: bash

        pip install Cython wheel
        pip install python-box[all]~=7.0 --upgrade --force

If you have any issues please open a github issue with the error you are experiencing!

Overview
========

`Box` is designed to be a near transparent drop in replacements for
dictionaries that add dot notation access and other powerful feature.

There are a lot of `types of boxes <https://github.com/cdgriffith/Box/wiki/Types-of-Boxes>`_
to customize it for your needs, as well as handy `converters <https://github.com/cdgriffith/Box/wiki/Converters>`_!

Keep in mind any sub dictionaries or ones set after initiation will be automatically converted to
a `Box` object, and lists will be converted to `BoxList`, all other objects stay intact.

Check out the `Quick Start <https://github.com/cdgriffith/Box/wiki/Quick-Start>`_  for more in depth details.

`Box` can be instantiated the same ways as `dict`.

.. code:: python

        Box({'data': 2, 'count': 5})
        Box(data=2, count=5)
        Box({'data': 2, 'count': 1}, count=5)
        Box([('data', 2), ('count', 5)])

        # All will create
        # <Box: {'data': 2, 'count': 5}>

`Box` is a subclass of `dict` which overrides some base functionality to make
sure everything stored in the dict can be accessed as an attribute or key value.

.. code:: python

      small_box = Box({'data': 2, 'count': 5})
      small_box.data == small_box['data'] == getattr(small_box, 'data')

All dicts (and lists) added to a `Box` will be converted on insertion to a `Box` (or `BoxList`),
allowing for recursive dot notation access.

`Box` also includes helper functions to transform it back into a `dict`,
as well as into `JSON`, `YAML`, `TOML`, or `msgpack` strings or files.


Thanks
======

A huge thank you to everyone that has given features and feedback over the years to Box! Check out everyone that has contributed_.

A big thanks to Python Software Foundation, and PSF-Trademarks Committee, for official approval to use the Python logo on the `Box` logo!

Also special shout-out to PythonBytes_, who featured Box on their podcast.


License
=======

MIT License, Copyright (c) 2017-2026 Chris Griffith. See LICENSE_ file.


.. |BoxImage| image:: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cdgriffith/Box/master/box_logo.png
   :target: https://github.com/cdgriffith/Box
.. |BuildStatus| image:: https://github.com/cdgriffith/Box/workflows/Tests/badge.svg?branch=master
   :target: https://github.com/cdgriffith/Box/actions?query=workflow%3ATests
.. |License| image:: https://img.shields.io/pypi/l/python-box.svg
   :target: https://pypi.python.org/pypi/python-box/

.. _PythonBytes: https://pythonbytes.fm/episodes/show/19/put-your-python-dictionaries-in-a-box-and-apparently-python-is-really-wanted
.. _contributed: AUTHORS.rst
.. _`Wrapt Documentation`: https://wrapt.readthedocs.io/en/latest
.. _reusables: https://github.com/cdgriffith/reusables#reusables
.. _created: https://github.com/cdgriffith/Reusables/commit/df20de4db74371c2fedf1578096f3e29c93ccdf3#diff-e9a0f470ef3e8afb4384dc2824943048R51
.. _LICENSE: https://github.com/cdgriffith/Box/blob/master/LICENSE