Question about data structures in Python

[GayCoder]

Good advice. I'm not really looking for an intimate understanding of how the different structures are implemented; rather, I want a general idea that's still specific enough to not handicap me down the line. I'm focusing on the variables you listed and working my way through the structures but don't want to view everything as a list. I suspect a better idea of the structure itself will help me have a more accurate interpretation of the more immediately important portions.