Format: KeyError when using curly brackets in strings

Question

I'm running the following code:

asset = {}
asset['abc'] = 'def'
print type(asset)
print asset['abc']
query = '{"abc": "{abc}"}'.format(abc=asset['abc'])
print query

Which throws a KeyError error:

[user@localhost] : ~/Documents/vision/inputs/perma_sniff $ python ~/test.py 
<type 'dict'>
def
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/home/user/test.py", line 5, in <module>
    query = '\{"abc": "{abc}"\}'.format(abc=asset['abc'])
KeyError: '"abc"'

Format is obviously getting confused by the wrapping { . How can I make sure format only tries to replace the (correct) inner {abc} .

ie, expected output is:

{"abc": "def"}

(I'm aware I could use the json module for this task, but I want to avoid that. I would much rather use format.)

Answer 1

To insert a literal brace, double it up:

query = '{{"abc": "{abc}"}}'.format(abc=asset['abc'])

(This is documented here , but not highlighted particularly obviously).

Answer 2

wrap the outer braces in braces:

query = '{{"abc": "{abc}"}}'.format(abc=asset['abc'])
print query
{"abc": "def"}

Answer 3

The topmost curly braces are interpreted as a placeholder key inside your string, thus you get the KeyError . You need to escape them like this:

asset = {}
asset['abc'] = 'def'
query = '{{"abc": "{abc}"}}'.format(**asset)

And then:

>>> print query
{"abc": "def"}