dictionaries vs. objects

[Steve Holden]

Andre Meyer wrote:
> Hi all
> 
> I have the following question: I need a representation of a physically 
> inspired environment. The environment contains a large number of objects 
> with varying attributes. There may be classes of objects, but there is 
> not necessarily a strictly defined hierarchy among them. Object access 
> should be fast, because there a many objects that change often ( e.g., 
> moving objects).
> 
> My approach is to use a dictionary for the environment model and store 
> each object as a slot, which contains either a dictionary or an object. 
> Now, which is better? What is the performance of Python to look up 
> attributes as either slots of a dictionary or attributes of an object? 
> What feels more logical? What is more pythonic and performs better? 
> Which is constructed and modified easier and quicker? Are there effects 
> that I am not yet aware of?
> 
I'd suggest using objects: quite apart from the fact that name lookup in 
a namespace is pretty much equivalent to a dictionary lookup (namespaces 
use an internal optimised dictionary-style object) remember that objects 
can have methods, and that the names are given as attributes rather than 
as strings.

regards
  Steve
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