code: def dict_contents(self, use_dict=None, as_class=dict):
          
          if _debug: NPDU._debug("dict_contents use_dict=%r as_class=%r", use_dict, as_class)
  
          # make/extend the dictionary of content
          if use_dict is None:
              use_dict = as_class()
  
          # call the parent classes
          self.npci_contents(use_dict=use_dict, as_class=as_class)
          self.npdu_contents(use_dict=use_dict, as_class=as_class)
  
          # return what we built/updated
          return use_dict
docs: Return the contents of an object as a dict.