Classes

CS106AP Lecture 19
Roadmap sics
am m i ng Ba
Progr The C
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Day 1!

Graphics Data structures

Midterm

Object-Oriented
Everyday Python
Programming

Life after CS106AP!

Roadmap sics
am m i ng Ba
Progr The C
onsol
e Ima
ges
Day 1!

Graphics Data structures

Midterm

Object-Oriented
Everyday Python
Programming

Pa Pa Pa
rt rt rt
1 2 3 Life after CS106AP!
 How do we animate our graphics

Today’s programs?

How and why would we define our

questions own data types while programming?
 1. Review
Today’s 2. Event loops

topics 3. Classes
4. What’s next?
Review
campy
New graphics library: campy
● Python version of Stanford’s ACM Graphics Libraries

● Allows us to easily create graphical objects and add them to a canvas

● Built on top of Tkinter

New graphics library: campy
● Python version of Stanford’s ACM Graphics Libraries

● Allows us to easily create graphical objects and add them to a canvas

● Built on top of Tkinter

Do not use campy on Assignment 4!

GWindow
GWindow
● The GWindow stores all the information about the objects in the
window!
● GObjects are added in order (most recently added are on top)
window = GWindow(height, width, title)
window.add(obj, x, y) # x, y are optional
window.remove(obj)
window.clear() # remove all objects
window.get_object_at(x, y) # returns topmost object
GObjects
Types of GObjects
● GRect
● GOval
● GLine
● GLabel
Getting information from (any) GObject
obj.width
obj.height
obj.x
obj.y
obj.filled
obj.fill_color
GRect
def get_rect():
rect = GRect(width=100, height=50, x=25, y=25)
rect.filled = True
rect.fill_color = ‘blue’ (x, y)

height
return rect

width
GOval
def get_oval():
oval = GOval(width=100, height=50, x=0, y=0)
oval.filled = True
oval.fill_color = ‘green’ (x, y)

height
return oval

width
GLine
line = GLine(x0, y0, x1, y1)
# similar to tk’s create_line() function!

(x0, y0) (x1, y1)

GLabel
label = GLabel(text, x, y)
# similar to tk’s create_text() function!
label = GLabel(‘hi’, 0, 0)

(x, y)
hi
Randomness
The random module
● random is a useful Python module

import random
COLORS = ['red', 'orange', 'yellow', 'green', 'blue']

color = random.choice(COLORS)
The random module
● random is a useful Python module

import random
COLORS = ['red', 'orange', 'yellow', 'green', 'blue']

color = random.choice(COLORS)

randomly selects
from a list
The random module
● Generate a random float 0 <= x < 1

random.random()

● Generate a random int a <= x <= b

random.randint(a, b) note that it is

inclusive!
● Randomly select from a list

random.choice(lst)
Random bubbles:
draw_bubbles()
[demo]
How do we animate our
graphics programs?
Random bubble:
animate_bubble_pop()
[demo]
Use an animation loop
while True:

if stop_condition:

break

# ‘Animate’ object

pause(timestep) Small movements help

make the animation
appear continuous!
Use an animation loop
while True:

if stop_condition:

break

# ‘Animate’ object

pause(timestep) Small movements help

make the animation
appear continuous!
Use an animation loop
while True:

if stop_condition:

break

# ‘Animate’ object

pause(timestep)
How long to wait in
milliseconds
Random bubble:
animate_bubble_pop()
Random bubbles:
animate_many_bubbles()
Random bubbles:
animate_many_bubbles()
[demo]

How could we keep track of multiple bubbles?

Module imports
(a review)
How can I leverage Campy in my programs?
● Import modules from the campy library
● New import syntax:

from campy.graphics.gobjects import GOval

path to feature(s) we
specific module want to use
 Using modules - two ways
1. Import the module 1. Import specific feature from module
import module from module import function
2. Use the predefined features! 2. Use the feature!
module.function() function()

Method A Method B
 Using modules - two ways
1. Import the module
import campy.graphics.gobjects
2. Use the predefined features!
campy.graphics.gobjects.GOval(width, height)

Method A
 Using modules - two ways
1. Import the feature from module
from campy.graphics.gobjects import GOval, GRect
2. Use the feature!
GOval(width, height)

Method B
 Using modules - two ways
1. Import the module 1. Import specific feature from module
import module from module import function
2. Use the predefined features! 2. Use the feature!
module.function() function()

Method A Method B
more concise, especially if you’re
only importing 1-2 things
What are we importing from the module?
from random import randint

from campy.graphics.gobjects import GOval, GRect

What are we importing from the module?
from random import randint

A function!
from campy.graphics.gobjects import GOval, GRect
What are we importing from the module?
from random import randint

from campy.graphics.gobjects import GOval, GRect

Object types defined

in the module
What are we importing from the module?
from random import randint

from campy.graphics.gobjects import GOval, GRect

i.e. “classes”
How and why would we define
our own data types?
How and why would we define
our own data types?
How and why would we define
our own data types?

Classes!
 Definition
class
A Python class defines a new data type for
our programs to use.
 Definition
class
A Python class defines a new data type for
our programs to use.

ints, strings, booleans, lists, floats, dictionaries,

etc. are all built-in Python data types
 Definition
class
A Python class defines a new data type for
our programs to use.

Classes allow us to define our own data types!

Classes we’ve already used that others have defined
● SimpleImage

● Pixel

● GObjects! (GRect, GOval, GLabel, etc.)

What is a class?
● A blueprint for a new type of Python object!
What is a class?
● A blueprint for a new type of Python object!
○ The blueprint describes a general structure, and we can create
specific instances of our class using this structure.
What is a class?
● A blueprint for a new type of Python object!
○ The blueprint describes a general structure, and we can create
specific instances of our class using this structure.

Definition
instance
When we create an object that is our new type,
we call this creating an instance of our class.
What is a class?
● A blueprint for a new type of Python object!
○ The blueprint describes a general structure, and we can create
specific instances of our class using this structure.

image = SimpleImage(width, height)

Creates an instance of the SimpleImage class

(i.e. an object of the type SimpleImage)
What is a class?
● A blueprint for a new type of Python object!
○ The blueprint describes a general structure, and we can create
specific instances of our class using this structure.

oval = GOval(width=50, height=50)

Creates an instance of the GOval class

(i.e. an object of the type GOval)
What is a class?
● A blueprint for a new type of Python object!
○ The blueprint describes a general structure, and we can create
specific instances of our class using this structure.

oval = GOval(width=50, height=50)

Note that each instance has its own attributes

(i.e. each GOval object has its own width, height, x, y, color)
What is a class?
● A blueprint for a new type of Python object!
○ The blueprint describes a general structure, and we can create
specific instances of our class using this structure.

● 3 main parts
○ Attributes
○ Methods
○ Constructor
What is a class?
● A blueprint for a new type of Python object!
○ The blueprint describes a general structure, and we can create
specific instances of our class.

● 3 main parts
○ Attributes (e.g. oval.fill_color, oval.width, etc.)
○ Methods
○ Constructor Variables stored inside
the class
What is a class?
● A blueprint for a new type of Python object!
○ The blueprint describes a general structure, and we can create
specific instances of our class using this structure.

● 3 main parts
○ Attributes (e.g. oval.fill_color, oval.width, etc.)
○ Methods (e.g. oval.move())
○ Constructor
Functions you can call on
the object
What is a class?
● A blueprint for a new type of Python object!
○ The blueprint describes a general structure, and we can create
specific instances of our class using this structure.

● 3 main parts
○ Attributes (e.g. oval.fill_color, oval.width, etc.)
○ Methods (e.g. oval.move())
○ Constructor (e.g. GOval(width, height))

How you create the object

How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:
How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:

1. Attributes: What subvariables make up this new variable type?

How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:

1. Attributes: What subvariables make up this new variable type?

Definition
instance attributes/instance variables
These variables belong to a specific instance of
our class, and every new instance of our class can
have its own values for each of them.
How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:

1. Attributes: What subvariables make up this new variable type?

instance.attribute
How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:

1. Attributes: What subvariables make up this new variable type?

image.width
How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:

2. Methods: What functions can you call on a variable of this type?

How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:

2. Methods: What functions can you call on a variable of this type?

Definition
methods
Methods are functions that belong to a class and
can be called on objects that are of the type the
class defines.
How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:

2. Methods: What functions can you call on a variable of this type?

instance.method(args)
How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:

2. Methods: What functions can you call on a variable of this type?

image.get_pixel(x, y)
How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:

3. Constructor: What happens when you make a new instance of this

type?
Definition
constructor
A special kind of method that instantiates an
object of your data type (i.e. creates an instance
of your class)
How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:

3. Constructor: What happens when you make a new instance of this

type?

instance = ClassName(args)
How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:

3. Constructor: What happens when you make a new instance of this

type?

image = SimpleImage(width, height)

How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:

1. Attributes: What subvariables make up this new variable type?

2. Methods: What functions can you call on a variable of this type?

3. Constructor: What happens when you make a new instance of this

type?
How do we design a class?
We must specify the 3 parts:

1. Attributes: What subvariables make up this new variable type?

2. Methods: What functions can you call on a variable of this type?

3. Constructor: What happens when you make a new instance of this

type?
In general, classes are useful in helping us with complex programs
where information can be grouped into objects.
Let’s create a social
network for Python users!
Let’s create a social
network for Python users!
Pynstagram.py
Let’s create a class to
define a PynstaUser!
PynstaUser: We must specify our 3 parts
● Attributes?
PynstaUser: We must specify our 3 parts
● Attributes
○ Name (string)
○ Posts (list of strings)
○ Friends (list of other PynstaUsers)
PynstaUser: We must specify our 3 parts
● Attributes
○ Name (string)
○ Posts (list of strings)
○ Friends (list of other PynstaUsers)

● Methods?
PynstaUser: We must specify our 3 parts
● Attributes
○ Name (string)
○ Posts (list of strings)
○ Friends (list of other PynstaUsers)

● Methods
○ Post a status
○ Add a friend
PynstaUser: We must specify our 3 parts
● Attributes
○ Name (string)
○ Posts (list of strings)
○ Friends (list of other PynstaUsers)

● Methods
○ Post a status
○ Add a friend

● Constructor?
PynstaUser: We must specify our 3 parts
● Attributes
○ Name (string)
○ Posts (list of strings)
○ Friends (list of other PynstaUsers)

● Methods
○ Post a status
○ Add a friend

● Constructor: User should provide a username

PynstaUser: We must specify our 3 parts
● Attributes
○ Name (string)
○ Posts (list of strings)
○ Friends (list of other PynstaUsers)

● Methods
○ Post a status
○ Add a friend

● Constructor: PynstaUser(name)
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

Tells Python we’re

creating a new class
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

The name of our new

class

Style note
class names
Uppercase the first letter of every word in class
names
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

def __init__(self):

The constructor method

for our class
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

def __init__(self, username):

Add the username as a parameter

for our constructor
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

def __init__(self, username):

Whenever we create methods

inside our class, we must pass
in self
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

def __init__(self, username):

self refers to this specific instance

of our class.
In other words, it makes sure that
we’re calling the method on the
correct instance of our class!
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

def __init__(self, username):

self.name = username Create and initialize the
attributes for this instance
self.friends = []
self.posts = []
of the class
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

def __init__(self, username):

self.name = username
self.friends = []
self.posts = []

user = PynstaUser(‘Kylie’)
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

def __init__(self, username):

self.name = username
self.friends = []
self.posts = []

user = PynstaUser(‘Kylie’) # Calls the constructor

Defining a class
class PynstaUser:
‘Kylie’

def __init__(self, username):

self.name = username
self.friends = []
self.posts = []

user = PynstaUser(‘Kylie’) # Assigns username to value ‘Kylie’

Defining a class
class PynstaUser:
the PynstaUser object that’s being created (and stored in user)

def __init__(self, username):

self.name = username
self.friends = []
self.posts = []

user = PynstaUser(‘Kylie’) # self is defined implicitly

Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

def __init__(self, username): Creates a name attribute for

self.name = username
self.friends = []
this instance of PynstaUser
self.posts = [] and assigns it to ‘Kylie’

user = PynstaUser(‘Kylie’)
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

def __init__(self, username): Creates a friends attribute for

self.name = username
self.friends = []
this instance of PynstaUser
self.posts = [] and assigns it to []

user = PynstaUser(‘Kylie’)
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

def __init__(self, username): Creates a posts attribute for

self.name = username
self.friends = []
this instance of PynstaUser
self.posts = [] and assigns it to []

user = PynstaUser(‘Kylie’)
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

def __init__(self, username):

self.name = username
self.friends = []
self.posts = []
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

def __init__(self, username):

self.name = username
self.friends = []
self.posts = []

def add_friend(self, user):

…
We can define more methods
def post(self, message): for our class here!
...
Defining a class
class PynstaUser:

def __init__(self, username):

self.name = username
self.friends = []
self.posts = []

def add_friend(self, user):

…
They must all take in self as
def post(self, message): a parameter
...
Pynstagram.py
[demo]
Summary
class PynstaUser: Class definition and name
def __init__(self, username): Constructor
self.name = username
self.friends = [] Attributes (must start with
self.posts = []
self. to be attributes!)
def add_friend(self, user):
…
Methods
def post(self, message):
...
How and why would we define
our own data types?
Why do we use classes?
● For ourselves
Why do we use classes?
● For ourselves
○ Grouping related data and the functions that act on it
○ Modular code development (isolation of particular tasks)
Why do we use classes?
● For ourselves
○ Grouping related data and the functions that act on it
○ Modular code development (isolation of particular tasks)

Like top-down decomposition!

Why do we use classes?
● For ourselves
○ Grouping related data and the functions that act on it
○ Modular code development (isolation of particular tasks)

This is called encapsulation! (more in Lecture 20)

Why do we use classes?
● For ourselves

● For others
Why do we use classes?
● For ourselves

● For others
○ We hide the implementation details of our code so others don’t
need to worry about them.
○ They can just use the class, like we do for SimpleImage.
Why do we use classes?
● For ourselves

● For others
○ We hide the implementation details of our code so others don’t
need to worry about them.
○ They can just use the class, like we do for SimpleImage.

This is called abstraction! (more in Lecture 21)

Why do we use classes?
● For ourselves
○ Grouping related data and the functions that act on it
○ Modular code development (isolation of particular tasks)

● For others
○ We hide the implementation details of our code so others don’t
need to worry about them.
○ They can just use the class, like we do for SimpleImage.
What’s next?
More on classes next week
● A better Pynstagram
○ Can friendships be bidirectional?

● Encapsulation
○ How classes help us
○ Classes + graphics programs

● Abstraction
○ How classes help people who use our code
Roadmap sics
am m i ng Ba
Progr The C
onsol
e Ima
ges
Day 1!

Graphics Data structures

Midterm
Graphics 1.0
Object-Oriented
Graphics 2.0
Everyday Python
Event-drivenProgramming
programming

Life after CS106AP!