#49 Python Tutorial for Beginners | Class and Object

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the concepts of classes and objects in Python, fundamental principles of object-oriented programming. By the end of this guide, you'll understand how to create your own classes, instantiate objects, and work with methods effectively.

Step 1: Understand Classes and Objects

• A class is a blueprint for creating objects. It defines attributes (variables) and behaviors (methods).
• Objects are instances of classes. You can think of an object as a specific realization of the class.

Key Points

• Built-in types in Python include integers, floats, and strings.
• To create custom types, you need to define your own classes.

Step 2: Create a Class

To define a class in Python, use the following syntax:

class ClassName:
    def method_name(self):
        # method statements
    # attributes can be defined here

Practical Advice

• Choose meaningful names for your classes that reflect their purpose.
• Ensure that methods within the class are defined to perform specific tasks.

Step 3: Create an Object from a Class

After defining a class, you can create an object using the following syntax:

object_variable = ClassName()

Key Points

• An object variable holds the instance of the class.
• You can create multiple objects from the same class.

Step 4: Check the Type of an Object

To check the type of an object, use the type() function:

print(type(object_variable))

Practical Advice

• This function will return the class name, confirming the object's type.

Step 5: Call Methods from an Object

You can call methods associated with a class using the following syntax:

ClassName.method_name(object_variable)

Alternatively, you can use:

object_variable.method_name()

Key Points

• When calling a method, the object itself is passed as the first parameter, usually named self within the method.
• This allows the method to access attributes and other methods of the object.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned the basics of classes and objects in Python, including how to define a class, create objects, check their type, and call methods. These concepts are fundamental for writing object-oriented programs. As a next step, practice creating your own classes and methods to solidify your understanding. Happy coding!