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Python class topic and tips

The document outlines ten essential insights about Python classes, covering concepts such as the difference between classes and instances, the use of the init method, and the self parameter. It also discusses class and instance attributes, method types, inheritance, encapsulation, magic methods, common pitfalls, and the advantages of composition over inheritance. These insights aim to enhance developers' understanding of Python's object-oriented programming features.

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3 views

Python class topic and tips

The document outlines ten essential insights about Python classes, covering concepts such as the difference between classes and instances, the use of the init method, and the self parameter. It also discusses class and instance attributes, method types, inheritance, encapsulation, magic methods, common pitfalls, and the advantages of composition over inheritance. These insights aim to enhance developers' understanding of Python's object-oriented programming features.

Uploaded by

toolsbot32
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Python Extras

10 Essential Insights About Python Classes Every


Developer Should Know

1. Understanding the Basics:


Class vs. Instance: A class is a blueprint for creating objects (instances). Each instance has its own
attributes and methods defined by the class.

init Method: This is the constructor method, called automatically when an object is created. It’s used to
initialize the object’s state.

class Dog:
def __init__(self, name, age):
self.name = name
self.age = age

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2. Self Parameter:
The self parameter refers to the instance calling the method. It allows access to the instance’s attributes
and methods within the class.

class Dog:
def __init__(self, name, age):
self.name = name
self.age = age

def bark(self):
print(f"{self.name} says woof!")

3. Class vs. Instance Attributes:


Instance Attributes: Defined in the init method and are unique to each instance.

Class Attributes: Shared across all instances of the class.

class Dog:
species = "Canis lupus familiaris" # Class attribute

def __init__(self, name, age):


self.name = name # Instance attribute
self.age = age

4. Method Types:
Instance Methods: Take self as the first parameter and can modify object state.

Class Methods: Take cls as the first parameter and can modify class state. Use the @classmethod
decorator.

Static Methods: Don’t modify object or class state. Use the @staticmethod decorator.

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class Dog:
species = "Canis lupus familiaris"

def __init__(self, name, age):


self.name = name
self.age = age

def bark(self): # Instance method


print(f"{self.name} says woof!")

@classmethod
def species_info(cls): # Class method
return f"This species is {cls.species}"

@staticmethod
def general_info(): # Static method
return "Dogs are loyal pets."

5. Inheritance:
Inheritance allows you to define a class that inherits all the methods and properties from another class.
This promotes code reusability.

class Animal:
def __init__(self, name):
self.name = name

def speak(self):
raise NotImplementedError("Subclass must implement this method")

class Dog(Animal):
def speak(self):
return f"{self.name} says woof!"

6. Understanding super():
The super() function allows you to call methods from the parent class, which is especially useful in
inheritance.

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class Puppy(Dog):
def __init__(self, name, age):
super().__init__(name, age) # Call the parent class constructor

7. Encapsulation:
Encapsulation restricts direct access to some of an object’s components. In Python, you can denote
private attributes by prefixing them with an underscore (_).

In [23]:

class Dog:
def __init__(self, name, age):
self._name = name # "Protected" attribute

8. Magic Methods (Dunder


Methods):
Magic methods are special methods with double underscores before and after their names
(e.g., init, str, repr). They allow you to define how your objects behave in certain situations.

class Dog:
def __init__(self, name, age):
self.name = name
self.age = age

def __str__(self):
return f"Dog(name={self.name}, age={self.age})"

9. Avoiding Common Pitfalls:


Mutable Default Arguments: Avoid using mutable types (like lists or dictionaries) as default arguments in
methods. Use None instead and assign the default inside the method.

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def __init__(self, name, toys=None):
self.name = name
self.toys = toys or []

10. Composition Over Inheritance:


While inheritance is useful, composition (where a class is composed of one or more objects of other
classes) can be a better approach in many scenarios as it provides more flexibility.

class Engine:
def start(self):
return "Engine started"

class Car:
def __init__(self, engine):
self.engine = engine

def start(self):
return self.engine.start()

tutorial@point

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