Dictionary, iterate & update objects

[jansenh]

hi comp.lang.python.

I need some newbe advice on idiomatic use of Python dictionaries.

I have service with a dictionary which holds a bunch of objects as
values, and an ID as key to each object. Then I want to change an
objects state based on its key. The way I am doing this now is by using
'fromkeys' and copying my object over in a temporary dictionary, then
manipulating the object, and then I do an 'update' back to the main
dictionary..  :-0

There has to be a smarter way? Thankful for any piece of
enlightenment...

regards, Henning