Python Tutorial Part 5: Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

In this article, we'll dive into object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts in Python.

Classes and Objects

In Python, everything is an object, and you can create your own objects by defining classes. A class is a blueprint for creating objects, and an object is an instance of a class.

Example:

class Person:
    def __init__(self, name, age):
        self.name = name
        self.age = age

    def greet(self):
        print("Hello, my name is " + self.name + " and I am " + str(self.age) + " years old.")

# Create an object of the Person class
person1 = Person("Alice", 30)

# Call the greet method
person1.greet()

In this example, we define a Person class with name and age attributes and a greet method. We then create an object of the Person class and call the greet method.

Inheritance

Python supports inheritance, allowing you to create new classes based on existing ones. A subclass inherits attributes and methods from its superclass.

Example:

class Student(Person):
    def __init__(self, name, age, student_id):
        super().__init__(name, age)
        self.student_id = student_id

    def study(self, subject):
        print(self.name + " is studying " + subject)

# Create an object of the Student class
student1 = Student("Bob", 25, "S12345")

# Call the greet method (inherited from the Person class)
student1.greet()

# Call the study method
student1.study("Math")

In this example, we define a Student class that inherits from the Person class. It adds a student_id attribute and a study method.

Conclusion

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a powerful paradigm that allows you to create reusable and modular code. By understanding classes, objects, inheritance, and other OOP concepts, you can take your Python programming skills to the next level.