def convert(self, value):
            """
            Convert values to an appropriate type. dicts, lists and tuples are
            replaced by their converting alternatives. Strings are checked to
            see if they have a conversion format and are converted if they do.
            """
            if not isinstance(value, ConvertingDict) and isinstance(value, dict):
                value = ConvertingDict(value)
                value.configurator = self
            elif not isinstance(value, ConvertingList) and isinstance(value, list):
                value = ConvertingList(value)
                value.configurator = self
            elif not isinstance(value, ConvertingTuple) and\
                     isinstance(value, tuple):
                value = ConvertingTuple(value)
                value.configurator = self
            elif isinstance(value, string_types):
                m = self.CONVERT_PATTERN.match(value)
                if m:
                    d = m.groupdict()
                    prefix = d['prefix']
                    converter = self.value_converters.get(prefix, None)
                    if converter:
                        suffix = d['suffix']
                        converter = getattr(self, converter)
                        value = converter(suffix)
            return value

            Convert values to an appropriate type. dicts, lists and tuples are
            replaced by their converting alternatives. Strings are checked to
            see if they have a conversion format and are converted if they do.
            
product/gradle-plugin/src/main/python/pip/_vendor/distlib/compat.py