% python
>>> import anydbm                     # get dbm, gbdm, or ndbm interface
>>> map = anydbm.open('movie')        # make a dbm file called 'movie'
>>> map['Batman'] = 'Pow!'            # store a string under key 'Batman'
>>> map.keys()                        # get the file's key directory
['Batman']
>>> map['Batman']                     # fetch value for key 'Batman'
'Pow!'
>>> who  = ['Robbin', 'Cat-woman', 'Joker']
>>> what = ['Bang!', 'Splat!', 'Wham!']
>>> for i in range(len(who)):
...     map[who[i]] = what[i]         # add 3 more 'records'
... 
>>> map.keys()
['Joker', 'Robbin', 'Cat-woman', 'Batman']
>>> len(map), map.has_key('Robbin'), map['Joker']
(4, 1, 'Wham!')