print_r functionality in iPython

Question

Is there a way to get PHP-like print_r(object) funcionality in iPython?

I know I can use '?' to get info about an object, but how do I view the values of the object?

Answer 1

Is

print my_object.__dict__

perhaps what you are looking for?

Or have a look at the standard python pretty printer for more advanced, recursive printing.

Answer 2

dir(object) will give you all its attribute names.

Answer 3

I'd use the pprint module if you want it to be nicely formatted:

import pprint
obj = {'a':1, 'b':2}
pprint.pprint(obj)

Answer 4

repr() calls the __repr__() method of the object, which usually gives some information about the contents of the object if written appropriately.