def METHOD_NAME(k):
    # auto-convert string config entries into their appropriate type
    _t = udict[k]["type"]
    # "typefns" convert to real type; default type fn assumes identity (string, usually)
    def ident_fn(x): return x
    _typefn = ident_fn if _t not in PluginHandle.typefns else PluginHandle.typefns[_t]
    return _typefn(udict[k]["value"])