> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://valaw.madebyjet.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Raw data mode

> Return raw JSON dicts instead of typed objects

By default, Valaw converts API responses into typed Python objects using `dataclass-wizard`. This gives you attribute access, IDE autocomplete, and type safety.

If you'd rather work with plain dictionaries — for example, to forward the response directly to another service — you can enable raw data mode.

## Enabling raw data mode

Pass `raw_data=True` when initializing the client:

```python theme={null}
import valaw

client = valaw.Client("YOUR_TOKEN", "americas", raw_data=True)
```

## Typed vs raw

**Typed (default):**

```python theme={null}
import valaw
import asyncio

async def main():
    client = valaw.Client("YOUR_TOKEN", "americas")
    try:
        account = await client.GET_getByRiotId("PlayerName", "NA1")
        print(account.gameName)  # attribute access, IDE autocomplete works
        print(account.tagLine)
    finally:
        await client.close()

asyncio.run(main())
```

**Raw:**

```python theme={null}
import valaw
import asyncio

async def main():
    client = valaw.Client("YOUR_TOKEN", "americas", raw_data=True)
    try:
        account = await client.GET_getByRiotId("PlayerName", "NA1")
        print(account["gameName"])  # dictionary access
        print(account["tagLine"])
    finally:
        await client.close()

asyncio.run(main())
```

## When to use raw mode

Use raw mode when:

* You're forwarding the response directly to another service or API
* You want the exact JSON structure as Riot returns it
* You're debugging and want to inspect the raw response

Use typed mode (default) when:

* You want IDE autocomplete and type checking
* You're building an application that works with the data

## Error handling

Error handling works the same in both modes — `RiotAPIResponseError` is raised regardless.

```python theme={null}
import valaw

async def main():
    client = valaw.Client("YOUR_TOKEN", "americas", raw_data=True)
    try:
        account = await client.GET_getByRiotId("PlayerName", "NA1")
    except valaw.Exceptions.RiotAPIResponseError as e:
        print(f"Error: {e.status_code} - {e.status_message}")
    finally:
        await client.close()
```

## Serializing to JSON

Raw mode is useful when you want to save the API response directly:

```python theme={null}
import valaw
import asyncio
import json

async def main():
    client = valaw.Client("YOUR_TOKEN", "americas", raw_data=True)
    try:
        match = await client.GET_getMatch("match-id", "na")
        with open("match.json", "w") as f:
            json.dump(match, f, indent=2)
    finally:
        await client.close()

asyncio.run(main())
```