def to_dict(obj):
    """Convert a dictionary-like object to a dictionary.

    >>> to_dict({'key': 42})
    {'key': 42}

    >>> to_dict("key=42")
    {'key': '42'}

    >>> to_dict("key")
    {'key': None}

    >>> to_dict(None)
    {}

    """
    if isinstance(obj, dict):
        return obj
    elif isinstance(obj, str):
        text = obj.strip()
        parts = text.split('=')
        if len(parts) == 2:
            return {parts[0]: parts[1]}
        else:
            return {text: None}
    else:
        try:
            return obj.__dict__
        except AttributeError:
            return {}