OOP & classes
Classes, instances, methods, dataclasses, and object-oriented design in Python.
Compute Derived Fields with @dataclass __post_init__ in Python
Compute derived fields like distance, area, and perimeter automatically in Python dataclasses using __post_init__ and field(init=False).
from dataclasses import dataclass, field
from math import sqrt
@dataclass
class Point:
x: float
y: float
distance: float = field(init=False)
def __post_init__(self):
self.distance = sqrt(self.x ** 2 + self.y ** 2)
@dataclass
class Rectangle:
width: float
height: float
area: flo…Design a Data Helper Class in Python
Create a simple Object-Oriented data helper with DataPoint and Dataset classes that store, describe, and summarize coordinate points.
class DataPoint:
def __init__(self, x, y):
self.x = x
self.y = y
self.label = None
def describe(self):
"""Return a human-readable description of the data point."""
base = f"DataPoint(x={self.x}, y={self.y})"
return f"{base}, label='{self.label}'" if self.label e…How to Build a Data Helper Class in Python with OOP
Create a beginner-friendly Python class that loads CSV data, filters records by field, and counts entries using object-oriented programming.
class DataHelper:
"""A beginner-friendly OOP helper for handling simple datasets."""
def __init__(self, filename):
self.filename = filename
self.data = self._load_data()
def _load_data(self):
"""Load data from a CSV file into a list of dictionaries."""
import csv
…How to Call a Parent Class __init__ with super() in Python
Shows how to chain __init__ calls through a class hierarchy using super(), so each class sets its own attributes while reusing the parent's initialization logic.
class Animal:
def __init__(self, name, species):
self.name = name
self.species = species
print(f"Animal init: {self.name}, {self.species}")
class Mammal(Animal):
def __init__(self, name, species, fur_color):
super().__init__(name, species)
self.fur_color = fur_color
…How to Compare Dataclass Instances by Specific Fields in Python
Use @dataclass(order=True) with field(compare=False) to control which fields determine ordering and equality between instances.
from dataclasses import dataclass, field
from typing import Any
@dataclass(order=True)
class Person:
name: str = field(compare=False)
age: int
height_cm: float
priority: int = field(compare=False, default=0)
def __repr__(self):
return f"Person(name={self.name!r}, age={self.age}, height={s…How to Convert Data Types in Python with a Helper Class
This code defines a beginner-friendly OOP helper class for common data conversions like string to list, list to dict, JSON string, and CSV row, with an advanced subclass for numeric casting.
class DataConverter:
"""A beginner-friendly helper class for common data conversions."""
def __init__(self, data):
self.data = data
def to_list(self):
"""Convert string data (comma-separated) to a list."""
if isinstance(self.data, str):
return [item.strip() for…How to Count Items in a Python Class
A beginner-friendly Inventory class that stores item quantities in a dictionary and provides add, remove, count, and summary methods.
class Inventory:
def __init__(self):
self.items = {}
def add(self, item, quantity=1):
self.items[item] = self.items.get(item, 0) + quantity
def remove(self, item, quantity=1):
if item not in self.items:
raise ValueError(f"{item} not in inventory")
self.items[it…How to Create Immutable Data Classes with frozen=True in Python
Create immutable data classes in Python using @dataclass(frozen=True) to prevent attribute modifications after instantiation.
from dataclasses import dataclass
@dataclass(frozen=True)
class Point:
x: float
y: float
def distance_from_origin(self) -> float:
return (self.x**2 + self.y**2) ** 0.5
if __name__ == "__main__":
p = Point(3.0, 4.0)
print(p)
print(f"Distance from origin: {p.distance_from_origin():.2f}…How to Create a Data Helper Class in Python with OOP
A complete OOP example with User, Post, and Blog classes that manage data relationships and provide clear helper methods.
class User:
def __init__(self, name, email):
self.name = name
self.email = email
self.posts = []
def create_post(self, title, content):
post = Post(title, content, self)
self.posts.append(post)
return post
def get_post_count(self):
return len(self.p…How to Create an Immutable Money Class in Python with dataclasses
Define a frozen dataclass Money that holds an amount and currency, enforces non-negative amounts, and supports safe addition across matching currencies.
from dataclasses import dataclass
@dataclass(frozen=True)
class Money:
amount: float
currency: str = "USD"
def __post_init__(self) -> None:
if self.amount < 0:
raise ValueError("amount must be non-negative")
def add(self, other: "Money") -> "Money":
if self.currency != o…How to Create an Iterable Class with __iter__ and __next__ in Python
Build custom iterable classes in Python by implementing the __iter__ and __next__ dunder methods to yield items on demand.
class EvenNumbers:
def __init__(self, limit):
self.limit = limit
self.current = 0
def __iter__(self):
return self
def __next__(self):
if self.current >= self.limit:
raise StopIteration
result = self.current
self.current += 2
return resul…How to Define Dataclass Field Defaults in Python
Implement a Python dataclass with default values for simple fields and default factories for mutable collections.
from dataclasses import dataclass, field
from typing import List
@dataclass
class Product:
name: str
price: float = 0.0
quantity: int = 0
tags: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
metadata: dict = field(default_factory=dict)
if __name__ == "__main__":
p1 = Product("Laptop", 999.99, 5)
…How to Define a Simple Python Class with __init__ and __repr__
Define a basic Python class with an __init__ method to set instance attributes and a __repr__ method for a readable representation of objects.
class Person:
def __init__(self, name, age):
self.name = name
self.age = age
def __repr__(self):
return f"Person(name={self.name!r}, age={self.age!r})"
if __name__ == "__main__":
person = Person("Alice", 30)
print(person)How to Implement Rich Comparison Ordering in Python Classes
This code demonstrates how to implement rich comparison operators (like <, <=, >, >=, ==, !=) in a Python class by defining __lt__ and __eq__, enabling sorting and ordering of custom objects.
class Task:
def __init__(self, priority, name):
self.priority = priority
self.name = name
def __lt__(self, other):
if not isinstance(other, Task):
return NotImplemented
return self.priority < other.priority
def __eq__(self, other):
if not isinstance(oth…How to Implement the State Pattern in Python
Implement the State design pattern in Python by delegating behavior to state objects, letting a media player change actions dynamically without if-else chains.
class State:
def play(self, player): pass
def pause(self, player): pass
def stop(self, player): pass
class PlayingState(State):
def play(self, player):
return "Already playing"
def pause(self, player):
player.state = PausedState()
return "Pausing playback"
def stop(self…How to Use __slots__ in Python Classes for Memory Efficiency
Defines classes with __slots__ to prevent dynamic attribute creation and reduce memory usage, including inheritance with additional slots.
```python
class Person:
__slots__ = ("name", "age")
def __init__(self, name: str, age: int):
self.name = name
self.age = age
def greet(self) -> str:
return f"Hi, I'm {self.name} and I'm {self.age} years old."
class Employee(Person):
__slots__ = ("role",)
def __init__(se…How to Use abstractmethod in Python
Define an abstract base class with abstract methods to enforce a common interface across subclasses.
import abc
class Shape(abc.ABC):
@abc.abstractmethod
def area(self):
"""Calculate area of the shape."""
@abc.abstractmethod
def perimeter(self):
"""Calculate perimeter of the shape."""
class Rectangle(Shape):
def __init__(self, width, height):
self.width = width
s…How to define a custom exception class in Python with an error code attribute
Create a custom exception class with extra attributes like an error code, then raise and catch it in a try/except block.
class UserNotFoundError(Exception):
def __init__(self, user_id, error_code=404):
self.user_id = user_id
self.error_code = error_code
super().__init__(f"User with ID {user_id} was not found (error code: {error_code})")
def find_user(user_id, users_db):
if user_id not in users_db:
…How to implement a Facade class to simplify subsystem calls in Python
Use a Facade class to wrap complex subsystem interactions behind a simple start() method, hiding the details and providing a clean interface.
class CPU:
def freeze(self):
print("CPU: freezing")
def jump(self, position):
print(f"CPU: jumping to {position}")
def execute(self):
print("CPU: executing")
class Memory:
def load(self, position, data):
print(f"Memory: loading '{data}' at {position}")
class HardDr…How to merge dictionaries by a key in Python with a class
This code defines a DataMerger class that collects dictionary records and merges them by a specified key, combining fields from multiple records with the same key.
class DataMerger:
def __init__(self):
self.records = []
def add_record(self, record):
if isinstance(record, dict):
self.records.append(record)
else:
raise TypeError("Record must be a dictionary")
def merge_by_key(self, key):
merged = {}
for …Implement the Strategy Pattern with Interchangeable Algorithm Classes in Python
Uses abstract base classes to define a SortStrategy interface, then swaps between BubbleSort and QuickSort at runtime.
from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
from typing import List
class SortStrategy(ABC):
@abstractmethod
def sort(self, data: List[int]) -> List[int]:
pass
class BubbleSort(SortStrategy):
def sort(self, data: List[int]) -> List[int]:
result = data[:]
n = len(result)
for i in…Parse CSV Data with a Python Class
Encapsulate CSV file loading and column/row access methods in a reusable DataParser class for beginners.
class DataParser:
def __init__(self, file_path):
self.file_path = file_path
self.data = []
def load_data(self):
with open(self.file_path, 'r') as file:
for line in file:
row = line.strip().split(',')
self.data.append(row)
return self.…Python Abstract Class with Concrete Subclasses
Define an abstract base class with abstract methods and implement them in concrete subclasses like Rectangle and Circle.
from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
class Shape(ABC):
@abstractmethod
def area(self):
pass
@abstractmethod
def perimeter(self):
pass
class Rectangle(Shape):
def __init__(self, width, height):
self.width = width
self.height = height
def area(self):
ret…Template Method Pattern in Python: Define Base Class with Algorithm Steps
Create a template method base class using ABC that defines the skeleton of an algorithm while letting subclasses implement specific steps.
from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
class DataProcessor(ABC):
"""Template method that defines the skeleton of an algorithm."""
def process(self):
"""Template method - defines the sequence of steps."""
self.load_data()
self.clean_data()
self.transform_data()
self.s…Browse by section
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OOP & classes — Python code examples
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