title: Modifying a Python dictionary from different threads
body: <p>When it comes to threading, I know you have to make sure you're not editing a variable at the same time another thread is editing it, as your changes can be lost (when incrementing a counter, for example)</p>
  
  <p>Does the same apply to dictionaries? Or is a dictionary a collection of variables?</p>
  
  <p>If every thread were to lock the dictionary it would slow the program down significantly, while every thread only needs write access to its own little piece of the dictionary.</p>
  
  <p>If it isn't possible, is there some sort of variable variable in python, like in php?</p>