How to Convert Python Dict to JSON and Back

import json
from datetime import datetime, timezone


def convert_data(data, source_format=None, target_format="json"):
    """
    Convert Python data structures to txt/json and back.
    For beginners: shows how to serialize/deserialize.
    """
    if source_format == "json" and target_format == "dict":
        return json.loads(data)
    if source_format == "dict" and target_format == "json":
        return json.dumps(data, indent=2)
    if source_format is None and target_format == "json":
        return json.dumps(data, indent=2)
    raise ValueError("Unsupported conversion")


def add_timestamp():
    """Return current UTC timestamp as ISO string."""
    return datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat()


if __name__ == "__main__":
    sample_dict = {
        "name": "PythonBasic",
        "level": 1,
        "topics": ["variables", "functions", "files"],
        "created": add_timestamp()
    }
    json_text = convert_data(sample_dict, "dict", "json")
    print("Converted to JSON:\n", json_text)
    print("\nConverted back to dict:")
    restored = convert_data(json_text, "json", "dict")
    print(restored, type(restored))