In what order does Python read dictionary keys?

[tcpeter at my-deja.com]

In article <375D8077.EA539C6D at pop.vet.uu.nl>,
  M.Faassen at vet.uu.nl wrote:
> tcpeter at my-deja.com wrote:
>>  when I ran the code, the options were
presented
> > in the desired order. (A trifle creepy, if you ask me.  Turing would
be
> > delighted.)  Anyway, how does Python decide the order. Thanks.
>
> Hi there,
>
> The answer is that Python doesn't have any set orders for
dictionaries.
> The internal hashing algorithm the python dictionary uses has no
> guaranteed order. So basically you shouldn't depend on any particular
> order it produces.

OK.  So is there a way to ensure a specific order?  In this instance
I've given it's not particularly critical, but there are times where it
might be.  Any ideas?


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