drf-smart-nested-parser 0.2.0

Smart nested parser for Django REST Framework (JSON + multipart + form-data)

DRF Smart Nested Parser

A custom parser class for Django REST Framework (DRF) that converts bracket-notation form keys into properly nested Python structures.

It transparently handles:

• multipart/form-data
• application/x-www-form-urlencoded
• application/json (delegated to DRF's default JSONParser)

This allows frontend clients to submit nested data using standard HTML form conventions while preserving DRF’s normal behavior.

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Why?

Django REST Framework does not natively support nested bracket notation in form submissions such as:

user[name]
items[0][title]

This parser bridges that gap, enabling clients (Browsers, Postman, Bruno, mobile apps) to send nested form data without switching to JSON payloads.

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Features

• Parses nested keys like user[name], items[0][title]
• Builds proper nested dict and list structures
• Preserves uploaded files in request.FILES
• Delegates JSON requests to DRF’s native JSONParser
• Automatically casts numeric string values to int when possible
• Works seamlessly as a global or per-view parser

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Requirements

• Python >= 3.8
• Django >= 4.2
• djangorestframework >= 3.14

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Installation

Available on PyPI:

pip install drf_smart_nested_parser

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Quick Start

Global configuration

# settings.py

REST_FRAMEWORK = {
    "DEFAULT_PARSER_CLASSES": [
        "drf_smart_nested_parser.SmartNestedParser",
    ]
}

This replaces DRF’s default parsers while internally delegating to:

• JSONParser
• MultiPartParser
• FormParser

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Per-view usage

from rest_framework.views import APIView
from drf_smart_nested_parser import SmartNestedParser

class MyView(APIView):
    parser_classes = [SmartNestedParser]

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Example

Incoming request

(multipart/form-data or application/x-www-form-urlencoded)

user[name] = Amir
user[age] = 30
items[0][title] = Book
items[0][price] = 120
items[1][title] = Pen

Parsed result (request.data)

{
  "user": {
    "name": "Amir",
    "age": 30
  },
  "items": [
    {"title": "Book", "price": 120},
    {"title": "Pen"}
  ]
}

Uploaded files remain accessible via:

request.FILES

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Behavior

Content-Type	Behavior
application/json	Uses DRF's JSONParser without modification
multipart/form-data	Parsed using MultiPartParser, then keys are converted to nested structures
application/x-www-form-urlencoded	Parsed using FormParser, then keys are converted to nested structures

Numeric string values are automatically cast to int when possible.

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Key Rules

Valid examples:

items[0][name]
user[address][city]

Invalid example:

[0][name]

Keys must start with a string root.

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File Handling

File objects are preserved and returned inside DataAndFiles.files. They are not modified or transformed.

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Use Cases

• Complex nested form submissions
• Frontend frameworks sending bracket-notation keys
• Multipart requests combining nested data + file uploads
• Replacing JSON with form submissions while keeping structure

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Project Structure

drf_smart_nested_parser/
├── parsers.py
├── utils.py
└── __init__.py

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License

MIT License

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Contributing

Pull requests are welcome. Please open an issue first to discuss major changes.