i'm trying keep track of complex set of variables , update them, within dictionary. if dictionary not appropriate tool here, please let me know. a = 1 b = 1 c = 1 dict = {a: [(b, c)]} # {1: [(1, 1)]} = 1 b = 1 c = 2 dict = {a: [(b, c)]} # {1: [(1, 2)]} = 1 b = 2 c = 1 dict = {a: [(b, c), (b, c)]} # {1: [(1, 2), (2, 1)]} = 2 b = 1 c = 1 dict = # {1: [(1, 2), (2, 1)], 2: [(1, 1)]} = 1 b = 1 c += 1 dict = # {1: [(1, 3), (2, 1)], 2: [(1, 1)]} please note not viable python code, example of 4 procedures i'm trying keep track of. if changes, want new key, if b changes want new pair of values in appropriate key of a, , if c changes, want update existing pair of a: (b, c). couple more examples given existing dictionary: a = 2 b = 4 c = 1 dict = # {1: [(1, 3), (2, 1)], 2: [(1, 1), (4, 1)]} = 6 b = 3 c = 1 dict = # {1: [(1, 3), (2, 1)], 2: [(1, 1), (4, 1)], 6: [(3, 1)]} my question have no idea how syntax for: the process of updating values of c, or i...