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CS229 Python Tutorial: TA: Mario Srouji

This document provides an overview of Python classes and object-oriented programming concepts through a tutorial on the CS229 Python class. It discusses why classes are useful for logical grouping, modeling techniques, and maintaining state. Key concepts covered include class definition, instantiation through __init__, self, instance methods, static methods, and inheritance including abstract classes.

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41 views

CS229 Python Tutorial: TA: Mario Srouji

This document provides an overview of Python classes and object-oriented programming concepts through a tutorial on the CS229 Python class. It discusses why classes are useful for logical grouping, modeling techniques, and maintaining state. Key concepts covered include class definition, instantiation through __init__, self, instance methods, static methods, and inheritance including abstract classes.

Uploaded by

silent
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CS229 Python

Tutorial

TA: Mario Srouji


Python basics demo
Python OOP
Why Classes?
• Logical grouping of data and functions (which are called
methods)

• We try to create classes with logical connections or


unified functionality

• Modeling technique, a way of thinking about programs

• Very useful for maintaining “state” in programs

• Think of a class as a sort of “blueprint”


Class example
Class Instantiation
• The class Customer(object) line does not “create” the
class - this is defining the “blueprint”

• To instantiate the class - we call the __init__ method with


the proper number of arguments (minus self)

• __init__(self, name, balance=0.0)

• mario = Customer(“Mario Srouji”, 1000.0) - instantiates an


object mario of the class Customer
Class example
What does self mean?

• self is the instance of the class we are using

• When defining a function (method) inside of a class - need


to include self as first argument so we can use it

• Syntactical way to define that this particular method


should be applied to the given object instance

• mario.withdraw(100.0) = Customer.withdraw(mario, 100.0)


Class example
What does __init__ do?
• When we call __init__ we are creating the object instance

• It is the class “constructor”

• To call the __init__ method of a class, instantiate the class


name with the arguments defined in __init__

• mario = Customer(“Mario Srouji”, 1000.0)

• Variables or “attributes” defined in the __init__ method can


be accessed inside and outside the class

• mario.name = “bob” will modify the name attribute


Class example
Bad class example
Good practice

• Looked reasonable - calling the set_balance method


before using the instance of the class

• No way to communicate this to the user

• We can not force caller to invoke set_balance

• Rule of thumb - do not introduce an attribute outside of


the __init__ method
Instance Methods
• Function defined in a class is called a “method”

• Methods have access to all data contained in the instance


of the object

• Can access and modify anything previously defined on


self

• Since they use self, they require an instance of the class


to be used - hence we call them instance methods
Class example
Static Methods
• Do not have access to self

• Work without requiring an instance to be present

• Do not have a self parameter


Inheritance
• The process in which a “child” class derives data and
behavior from a “parent” class

• Avoids duplication of code - example in a moment

• Allows for creation of “abstract” classes - general


templates

• Can use “abstract” classes to define specific instances


depending on application
Why inheritance?
Why inheritance?
Why inheritance?

• The Car and Truck classes are almost identical -


unnecessary duplication of code

• They share a lot of data and functionality in common

• Why not introduce an abstraction that allows us to


combine these two Vehicle classes
Abstract classes

• The Vehicle class is a concept that allows us to embody


reusable information

• We can make the Car and Truck classes inherit from the
Vehicle class

• Let’s look at the example on the next slide


Abstract classes
Inheritance once again
Demo

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