python type函数返回类型_如何为返回多个可能数据类型的函数记录：rtype:？

在Python docstring中，如何为可以返回多种可能数据类型的函数记录:rtype:？

例如，如果一个函数可以根据函数参数返回defaultdict或dict或list，那么如何记录？

代码示例：from collections import defaultdict

def read_state(state_file, state_file_type='defaultdict'):

"""Deserialize state file or create empty state and return it.

:param state_file: The path and file name of state file to read.

:type state_file: str

:param state_file_type: Data type in which state is stored.

:type state_file_type: str

:return: Current or new empty state.

:rtype: ?????

"""

if os.path.exists(state_file):

with open(state_file) as conf_fo:

state = json.load(conf_fo)

elif state_file_type == 'defaultdict':

state = defaultdict(lambda: defaultdict(list))

elif state_file_type == 'dict':

state = {}

elif state_file_type == 'list':

state = []

else:

raise TypeError("State file type not defined.")

return state