Nested Models & Recursive Structures
Handle deeply nested JSON structures and recursive data models effectively with Pydantic.
Nested Models & Recursive Structures is a free FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 3 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Understanding Nested Pydantic Models
In real-world applications, data is rarely flat. It often has a hierarchical structure, meaning some data points are collections of other data points.
Nested models in Pydantic allow you to define complex data structures by embedding one BaseModel within another. This helps you build robust and well-organized data schemas.
Defining Your First Nested Model
Let's create an Address model and then use it as a field within a User model. Notice how address: Address links the two.
from pydantic import BaseModel
class Address(BaseModel):
street: str
city: str
zip_code: str
class User(BaseModel):
name: str
email: str
address: Address
# We'll see it in action next!Instantiating Nested Pydantic Models
Now, let's create an instance of our User model. Pydantic automatically validates the nested Address data, ensuring all required fields are present and correctly typed.
from pydantic import BaseModel
class Address(BaseModel):
street: str
city: str
zip_code: str
class User(BaseModel):
name: str
email: str
address: Address
if __name__ == "__main__":
user_data = {
"name": "Alice Wonderland",
"email": "alice@example.com",
"address": {
"street": "123 Rabbit Hole",
"city": "Wonderland",
"zip_code": "90210"
}
}
user = User(**user_data)
print(f"User: {user.name}")
print(f"Lives in: {user.address.city}")
# Pydantic will validate nested data:
try:
User(name="Bob", email="b@example.com", address={"street": "Main"})
except Exception as e:
print(f"\nValidation Error (expected): {e}")Lists of Nested Pydantic Models
You can also have fields that are lists of other Pydantic models. This is common for things like a user having multiple items, or a product having several features.
We use List from the typing module for this.
from typing import List
from pydantic import BaseModel
class Skill(BaseModel):
name: str
level: int # e.g., 1-5
class Developer(BaseModel):
name: str
skills: List[Skill]
if __name__ == "__main__":
dev_data = {
"name": "Grace Hopper",
"skills": [
{"name": "Python", "level": 5},
{"name": "SQL", "level": 4},
{"name": "Algorithms", "level": 3}
]
}
developer = Developer(**dev_data)
print(f"Developer: {developer.name}")
print("Skills:")
for skill in developer.skills:
print(f"- {skill.name} (Level: {skill.level})")Unlocking Recursive Pydantic Models
Sometimes, data structures are even more complex: they refer to themselves. This is called a recursive model.
- Think of a comment section where replies are also comments.
- An organizational chart where employees can have managers who are also employees.
- A file system where folders contain other folders.
Pydantic can handle these self-referencing structures elegantly.
The Challenge of Self-Referencing Types
When a model needs to refer to itself, Python faces a "chicken-and-egg" problem: how can you define a type that isn't fully defined yet?
Pydantic solves this using forward references. In Pydantic v2 (and often in v1 with string literals), you can simply use the model's name as a string for the type hint.
Modeling an Org Chart with Recursion
Let's create an Employee model where an employee can have a manager (who is also an Employee) and a list of subordinates (also Employees).
Notice the use of 'Employee' as a string for the type hint to enable the recursion.
from typing import List, Optional
from pydantic import BaseModel
class Employee(BaseModel):
name: str
title: str
# 'Employee' is a forward reference to itself
manager: Optional['Employee'] = None
subordinates: List['Employee'] = []
# We'll build an org chart in the next scene!Building a Recursive Data Structure
Here's how you can instantiate the Employee model to build a small organizational hierarchy. Pydantic handles the validation of each nested/recursive layer.
from typing import List, Optional
from pydantic import BaseModel
class Employee(BaseModel):
name: str
title: str
manager: Optional['Employee'] = None
subordinates: List['Employee'] = []
if __name__ == "__main__":
# Create employees
ceo = Employee(name="Mr. Boss", title="CEO")
manager_a = Employee(name="Ms. Lead", title="Manager A", manager=ceo)
dev_1 = Employee(name="Dev One", title="Developer", manager=manager_a)
dev_2 = Employee(name="Dev Two", title="Developer", manager=manager_a)
# Link subordinates (Pydantic can also do this from structured data dicts)
manager_a.subordinates.extend([dev_1, dev_2])
ceo.subordinates.append(manager_a)
print(f"Org Chart: {ceo.name} ({ceo.title})")
for sub in ceo.subordinates:
print(f" - {sub.name} ({sub.title})")
for dev in sub.subordinates:
print(f" - {dev.name} ({dev.title})")
# You can also parse a dictionary directly:
org_data = {
"name": "Top CEO", "title": "CEO",
"subordinates": [
{
"name": "Mid Manager", "title": "Manager",
"subordinates": [
{"name": "Junior Dev", "title": "Developer"}
]
}
]
}
full_org = Employee(**org_data)
print(f"\nParsed Org: {full_org.name} -> {full_org.subordinates[0].name} -> {full_org.subordinates[0].subordinates[0].name}")Validation in Recursive Models
Just like with nested models, Pydantic's validation engine works seamlessly with recursive structures. It ensures that every level of the hierarchy conforms to the defined model, catching type errors or missing fields.
This makes handling complex, self-referencing data much safer and easier to manage.
Nested & Recursive Model Check
Let's check your understanding of Pydantic's powerful data modeling features.
Recap: Mastering Complex Data Structures
You've learned how to handle complex data with Pydantic!
- Nested models allow you to compose complex data structures from simpler ones, with automatic validation at every level.
- Recursive models enable you to define self-referencing data, perfect for hierarchies like organizational charts or comment threads.
- Pydantic's use of forward references (often string literals) makes defining recursive types straightforward.
These techniques are fundamental for building robust and clear APIs that interact with structured data.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Nested Models & Recursive Structures” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Nested Models & Recursive Structures” is free to read here on the web, and the FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Nested Models & Recursive Structures”?
Handle deeply nested JSON structures and recursive data models effectively with Pydantic. You practise FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp?
No prior experience is required. FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 3 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Nested Models & Recursive Structures” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp lesson?
Yes. Every FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Pydantic Field Validation & Validators
- Custom Data Types & Settings
- Nested Models & Recursive Structures
- Serialization with model_dump and Aliases