import json
import org.python.core.PyDictionary as PyDictionary


samples_info = []

def set_samples_info(info):
    global samples_info
    if (is_string(info)):
        info = json.loads(info)
    if not is_list(info):
        raise Exception("Sample info must be a list (given object type is " + str(type(info)) + ")") 
    #for sample in info:
    #    if not (type(sample) is PyDictionary):
    #        raise Exception("Sample info element must be a dictionary (given object type is " + str(type(sample)) + ")") 
    samples_info = info
    return samples_info



def get_samples_info(as_json=True):
    global sample_info
    return json.dumps(samples_info) if as_json else samples_info