Python Chapter 9 Flashcards

Instance Variables

• Instance variables are specific to an individual class instance and are not shared with other instances.

Polymorphism

• Polymorphic methods possess a single header but can have distinct implementations across different classes.

Class Variables

• Class variables retain data common to all instances of a class, allowing for shared information among them.

Class Initialization

• In subclassing, calling the superclass's __init__ method is done with the syntax A.__init__(self) when the constructor expects no arguments.

Object Lifetime

• An object's lifetime concludes when it is no longer referenced, making it eligible for garbage collection.

Current Instance Reference

• The term self is utilized within class definitions to refer to the current object instance.

Purpose of __init__

• The __init__ method initializes instance variables to their starting values when an object is created.

Method Definition

• Every method defined in a class must include at least one parameter called self, representing the instance.

Object Persistence

• To save objects permanently, the easiest method involves using the pickle function's dump feature.

Scope of Instance Variables

• Instance variables are accessible throughout the entire class in which they are declared.

Structure of a Simple Class

• A simple class is structured with a header and a collection of method definitions.

Class Components

• Besides methods, classes include instance variables, which store data pertinent to each instance.

Method Composition

• Each method comprises a header that specifies its name and parameters, along with a body that contains executable statements.

Operator Overloading

• Certain standard operators can be overloaded, providing customized functionality for new object classes.

Pickling Process

• Pickling is the method of converting an object into a format suitable for saving to permanent file storage.

Exception Handling

• The try-except statement aids in managing exceptions that may arise during the execution of a block of statements.

Key Features of OOP

• Encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism are the trio of foundational principles in object-oriented programming.

Simplifying Code Maintenance

• These principles enhance the simplicity and maintainability of programming endeavors.

Encapsulation Functionality

• Encapsulation guarantees that access to an object's data is restricted to the methods defined within its class, promoting data integrity.

Data Model Definition

• A data model encompasses a collection of classes dedicated to managing the data attributes of a program.

Role of a View

• A view consists of classes that present information to users and manage their inputs, focusing on user interaction.