How to Use Object Oriented Programming in Python

Simula was the first OOP language created for the simulation of physical models.

Using OOP, you’re able to define classes that act as templates for objects of specific types.

The core elements of OOP are classes, objects, methods, and attributes.

OOP uses these elements to achieve fundamental aims: encapsulation, abstraction, inheritance, and polymorphism.

Python has excellent support for object-oriented programming.

If you’re wondering about OOP or how to use it in Python, read on for the details.

What Is Object-Oriented Programming in Python?

Pythonis a general-purpose programming language that supports object-oriented programming.

Its central infrastructure aims at object and class-building applications or designing.

Using OOP makes Python code cleaner and clearer.

It also provides for easier maintenance and code reuse.

Here is an example to show you why to use OOP in Python.

This is a non-OOP approach and causes some problems.

For example, there is no explanation thatjeans[0]refers to size.

This is highly unintuitive compared to an OOP approach which would refer to a named field:jeans.size.

This example code isn’t very reusable since the behavior it relies on isn’t discoverable.

Using OOP, you’ve got the option to create a class to avoid this problem.

Related:Object-Oriented Programming vs.

Procedural Programming: What Makes Them Different?

Here’s an example defining a class namedMyclass.

Let’s define a class,Pant, to represent various types of pants.

This class will contain the size, on-sale status, material, and price.

By default, it initializes those values to None.

First, we’ll define the initializer method which has the predefined name_init_.

Once you define it, Python will automatically call this method whenever you create an object from that class.

Secondly, a particular self parameter will allow the initialize method to select a new object.

Class attributes are variables or methods that all objects of that class share.

In contrast, instance attributes are variables that are unique to each objectthe instance of a class.

Let’s create an instance method to interact with object properties.

Here, the first method,printinfo(), uses all properties exceptonsale.

The second method,putonsale(), sets the value of theonsaleproperty.

Note how both these instance methods use the keywordself.

This refers to the particular object (or instance) used to invoke the method.

When we callputonsale(), this method uses theselfparameter to change the value of that specific object.

If you’d created another instance ofPantleggings, for examplethis call would not affect it.

An instance property of one object is independent of any others.

In object-oriented programming, this is known as inheritance.

Expanding the class will define extra properties or methods that are not in the parent class.

Let’s define Leggings as a subclass and inherit it fromPant.

The new initializer method takes all the same properties as the Pant class and adds a unique elasticity property.

it’s possible for you to extend a class to reuse existing functionality and reduce code length.

You’ll notice these benefits more when you work with larger and more complicated classes.

Otherwise, it’ll return False.

But apantsobject is not an instance of the Leggings class.

The language was designed around object-oriented programming, so it’s a great tool to learn the paradigm.

double-check you have a solid understanding of the basic principlesobject-oriented programming is just the beginning!