def update(self, settings):
        '''
        updates the internal dictionary
        Args:
            settings: parameters to be set
        # mabe in the future:
        # Returns: boolean that is true if update successful

        '''
        if 'settings' in settings:
            self._settings.update(settings['settings'])
        else:
            self._settings.update(settings)

        if 'instruments' in settings:
            for instrument_name, instrument_setting in settings['instruments'].items():
                self.instruments[instrument_name]['settings'].update(instrument_setting['settings'])

        if 'scripts' in settings:
            for script_name, script_setting in settings['scripts'].items():
                self.scripts[script_name].update(script_setting)