code: def bvlci_contents(self, use_dict=None, as_class=dict):
          
          if _debug: BVLCI._debug("bvlci_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()
  
          # save the mapped value
          use_dict.__setitem__('type', self.bvlciType)
          use_dict.__setitem__('function', self.bvlciFunction)
          use_dict.__setitem__('length', self.bvlciLength)
  
          # return what we built/updated
          return use_dict
docs: Return the contents of an object as a dict.