def get2(item, key, if_none=None, strict=True):
    """
    similar to dict.get functionality but None value will return then
        if_none value

    :param item: dictionary to search
    :param key: the dictionary key
    :param if_none: the value to return if None is passed in
    :param strict: if False an empty string is treated as None
    :return:
    """

    if not strict and item.get(key) == "":
        return if_none
    elif item.get(key) is None:
        return if_none
    else:
        return item.get(key)