How do I convert a Python dictionary to a MATLAB type?

I have a Python dictionary in MATLAB which I would like to convert to a MATLAB type, but I am having trouble with the method used in this document page:

• https://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2020a/matlab/matlab_external/use-python-dict-type-in-matlab.html

I believe the problem is converting to a MATLAB "struct." The data in my dictionary does not conform to struct naming conventions listed here:

• https://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2020a/matlab/ref/struct.html#d120e1193691

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

While MATLAB structs have strict naming conventions for their data, there are other MATLAB data types which a dictionary can be converted into.

If we already have our Python environment loaded (which can be done manually with the MATLAB "pyenv" function), we can create a Python dictionary directly in MATLAB with the following command:

dict = py.dict(pyargs('2020-1-1 10:00:00.1', 'Value_1', '2020-1-2 12:10:00.5', 'Value_2'))

We can now convert this Python dictionary into a MATLAB map by iterating over the dictionary:

M = containers.Map; for raw_key = py.list(keys(dict)) key = raw_key{1}; value = dict{key}; M(string(key)) = string(value); end

Alternatively, we can convert the dictionary into a MATLAB table:

T = table; for raw_key = py.list(keys(dict)) key = raw_key{1}; value = dict{key}; T2 = table(string(value), 'VariableNames', [string(key)]); T = [T T2]; end

Note that this dictionary could not be converted into a MATLAB struct because the keys of the dictionary do not conform to struct naming conventions, since they do not start with a letter.

For more detailed information or guidance on the current release, please visit the following link:

• https://www.mathworks.com/help/