Convert Dictionary to String, vice versa?

[Byron]

Hello,

I am a newbie and would like to know if it is possible to convert a 
string back to a dictionary?

For example, I can convert a dictionary to a string by doing this:

	>>> names = {"Candy" : 2.95, "Popcorn" : 4.95}
	>>> strNames = str(names)
	>>> print strNames
	{'Popcorn': 4.9500000000000002, 'Candy': 2.9500000000000002}

However,  is there a way to convert a string back to a dictionary?

Any help is very much appreciated!

Byron
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