Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming in Python

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

A method of structuring a program by bundling related properties and behaviors into individual objects.

Class

A 'blueprint' for creating objects.

Instance

An object that belongs to a class.

__init__() Method

Executed when class is initiated; used to assign values to the properties of an object or other operations needed in the creation of an object.

self Parameter

Reference to the current instance of the class; used to access the variables that belong to the class.

Modify Object Properties

Changing the value of an object's property.

Delete Object Properties

Using the del keyword to remove a property from an object.

Methods

Functions that belong to the object.

Function

Doesn't need any object and is independent.

Method vs Function

A method is a function linked with an object, while a function can be called directly by its name.

Creating Objects

The process of instantiating a class to create an object.

Deleting Objects

The process of removing an object from memory.

Properties of an Object

Attributes that hold data associated with an object.

Behaviors of an Object

Operations that an object can perform.

Example of an Object

An object could represent a person with properties like a name, age, and address and behaviors such as walking, talking, breathing, and running.

Email Object Example

An object could represent an email with properties like a recipient list, subject, and body and behaviors like adding attachments and sending.

Syntax for Deleting Property

del

First Parameter of Class Function

The self parameter, which can use any other name.

Accessing Class Variables

Using the self parameter to bind the attributes with the given arguments.