Python Classes and Self (PDF)
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This document provides a complete introduction to classes and the "self" keyword in Python, suitable for an introductory object-oriented programming course. It demonstrates how classes are used to define objects with attributes and methods, focusing on the importance of designing effective and reusable code with Python.
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Classes and self in Python Understanding Object-Oriented Programming What is a Class? A class in Python is a blueprint that allows you to create objects (instances) with characteristics (attributes) and behaviors (methods). Classes help you organize your code and utilize...
Classes and self in Python Understanding Object-Oriented Programming What is a Class? A class in Python is a blueprint that allows you to create objects (instances) with characteristics (attributes) and behaviors (methods). Classes help you organize your code and utilize object-oriented programming (OOP). Key Concepts of Classes 1. Attributes: Variables that store data related to the object. 2. Methods: Functions defined inside a class. 3. Instance: An object created from a class. Using self The keyword 'self' represents the current instance of the class. - Accessing Attributes: self allows you to access instance attributes. - Calling Methods: self allows you to call other methods from the same instance. Complete Example of a Class Explanation of the Example 1. Class Definition: The Dog class is defined with a special method __init__. 2. Using self: self is used to access the attributes of the instance. 3. Creating Instances: my_dog = Dog("Buddy", "Golden Retriever") creates a new instance. 4. Calling Methods: Methods bark and description are called on my_dog. An other example Conclusion Classes and self in Python are essential for creating objects, managing data, and defining behaviors. self allows access to the attributes and methods of each instance, making object-oriented programming powerful.
