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Engineering LibreTexts

11: Classes

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  • 11.0: Introduction
    This page discusses how programmers use classes to represent real-world entities as objects, facilitating better design and organization in programming. It explains that a class specifies an object's type, attributes, and methods, enabling multiple instances' creation. The use of classes enhances code reusability and offers benefits like data abstraction and encapsulation, improving overall usability and extensibility.
  • 11.1: Object-Oriented Programming Basics
    This page discusses the principles of object-oriented programming (OOP), focusing on encapsulation and abstraction. It defines OOP as a paradigm that organizes data and methods into objects that represent real-world entities. Encapsulation protects data integrity by restricting access to data and methods, while abstraction simplifies user interaction by hiding complexity.
  • 11.2: Classes and Instances
    This page explains the creation and utilization of classes in Python, focusing on the significance of instance attributes, class attributes, and the __init__() method. It describes how classes act as blueprints for objects that symbolize real-world entities and provides examples of defining classes and creating instances. A clear distinction between instance and class attributes is made, alongside practical exercises to enhance understanding.
  • 11.3: Instance Methods
    This page discusses the learning objectives around Python's `__init__()` method, focusing on creating instances with multiple parameters and understanding instance methods. It highlights the structure, purpose, and practical examples like `ProductionCar` and `CoffeeOrder`. The text encourages practice by suggesting the development of a `VendingMachine` class to implement these concepts.
  • 11.4: Overloading Operators
    This page explains magic methods (dunder methods) in Python that help users interact with custom classes, focusing on operator overloading for arithmetic and comparison actions. It highlights how to define these methods to customize class behavior, with examples using an Account class. Additionally, it features exercises for practical application, such as merging exercise logs and enhancing the Account class functionalities.
  • 11.5: Using Modules with Classes
    This page covers selective class imports from modules, creating aliases, and emphasizes module organization for reusability. Key concepts include using import statements, the advantages of aliasing to avoid naming collisions, and practical exercises that reinforce these ideas through questions on module class counts, correct imports, and fixing missing statements.
  • 11.6: Chapter Summary
    This page provides an overview of object-oriented programming basics, focusing on data abstraction and encapsulation. It explains class definitions, instance creation, the __init__() method, instance versus class attributes, the self parameter, and magic methods. Additionally, it covers operator overloading and module imports, equipping readers with essential skills for effectively managing classes in Python.


This page titled 11: Classes is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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