Class in Python

In Python, a class is a blueprint for creating objects. It defines attributes (variables) and methods (functions) that the objects created from the class can use. Classes help us follow Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles like encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.

In Python, a class is created using the class keyword.

Syntax

class ClassName:
    # Constructor (special method to initialize object)
    def __init__(self, attribute1, attribute2):
        self.attribute1 = attribute1  # Instance variable
        self.attribute2 = attribute2

    # Method
    def display(self):
        print(f"Attribute1: {self.attribute1}, Attribute2: {self.attribute2}")

Example: Creating and Using a Class.

Syntax

# Create class with name Student
class Student:
    # Constructor
    def __init__(self, name, age): # initialization happens here
        self.name = name   # instance variable
        self.age = age

    # Class variable
    company = "Google"

    # Method
    def introduce(self):
        print(f"My name is {self.name} and I am {self.age} years old.")

# Create objects (instances of the class) 
s1 = Student("Ashish", 29) # initialization happens automatically
s2 = Student("Katrina", 25)

# Call methods
s1.introduce()
s2.introduce()

# Access instance variables
print(s1.name)
print(s2.age)
print(s1.company)
print(s2.company)

The output of the above code is:
My name is Ashish and I am 29 years old.
My name is Katrina and I am 25 years old.
Ashish
25
Google
Google

Object Creation with Python Class We can create the objects of the class. The class object could be used to access different attributes of the class. Attributes may be data or methods.

Object creation is the allocation of memory for a new object of a class. In Python, object creation happens when we call the class name like a function:

Python

s1 = Student("Ashish", 29)  # Object creation happens here

At this moment, Python creates an empty object in memory (not yet filled with values).

Python

# Empty list
my_list = []

# List with elements
fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']

# Mixed data types
mixed_list = [1, 'hello', 3.14, True]

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