Python OOP Concepts Tutor

This tutor guide is designed to teach Python Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts using
w3schools.com as the primary source. It covers the fundamental principles of OOP in Python, including
classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, and abstraction. Each section includes key
characteristics, example usage, and references to w3schools.com for detailed tutorials and interactive
examples.

1. Introduction to OOP in Python

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm that organizes code using objects and
classes, making it easier to manage and reuse. Python, as an object-oriented language, supports OOP to
create structured, maintainable, and scalable applications.

Why Learn OOP?

Provides a clear structure for programs.

Enhances code maintenance, reusability, and debugging.

Follows the DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) principle.

Enables building reusable applications with less code.

Reference: Python OOP

2. Classes and Objects

Classes are user-defined data types that serve as blueprints for creating objects. Objects are instances of
classes that hold specific data and can perform actions defined by the class.

a. Creating a Class

Use the class keyword to define a class.

Example:class MyClass:

x=5
Reference: Python Classes

Practice: Try it at Class Creation

b. Creating an Object

Instantiate an object using the class name.

Example:p1 = MyClass()

print(p1.x) # Output: 5

Reference: Python Classes

Practice: Try it at Object Creation

c. The __init__() Function

The __init__() function initializes object properties when an object is created.

Example:class Person:

def __init__(self, name, age):

self.name = name

self.age = age

p1 = Person("John", 36)

print(p1.name) # Output: John

Practice: Try it at init Function

d. The __str__() Function

The __str__() function defines the string representation of an object.

Example:class Person:

def __init__(self, name, age):

self.name = name

self.age = age

def __str__(self):

return f"{self.name}({self.age})"

p1 = Person("John", 36)

print(p1) # Output: John(36)

Reference: Python Classes

Practice: Try it at str Function

e. Object Methods

Methods are functions defined within a class that operate on its objects.
Example:class Person:

def __init__(self, name, age):

self.name = name

self.age = age

def myfunc(self):

print("Hello my name is " + self.name)

p1 = Person("John", 36)

p1.myfunc() # Output: Hello my name is John

Reference: Python Classes

Practice: Try it at Object Methods

f. The self Parameter

The self parameter refers to the current instance of the class, used to access its attributes and methods.

Example:class Person:

def __init__(mysillyobject, name, age):

mysillyobject.name = name

mysillyobject.age = age

def myfunc(abc):

print("Hello my name is " + abc.name)

p1 = Person("John", 36)
p1.myfunc() # Output: Hello my name is John

Reference: Python Classes

Practice: Try it at self Parameter

g. Modifying Object Properties

Object properties can be modified directly.

Example:p1.age = 40

Reference: Python Classes

Practice: Try it at Modify Properties

h. Deleting Object Properties

Use the del keyword to remove properties.

Example:del p1.age

Reference: Python Classes

Practice: Try it at Delete Properties

i. Deleting Objects
Use the del keyword to delete an object.

Example:del p1

Reference: Python Classes

Practice: Try it at Delete Objects

3. Inheritance

Inheritance allows a class (child) to inherit methods and properties from another class (parent),
promoting code reuse.

a. Parent Class

Any class can serve as a parent class.

Example:class Person:

def __init__(self, fname, lname):

self.firstname = fname

self.lastname = lname

def printname(self):

print(self.firstname, self.lastname)

x = Person("John", "Doe")

x.printname() # Output: John Doe

Reference: Python Inheritance

b. Child Class

A child class inherits from a parent class using the parent class name in parentheses.

Example:class Student(Person):

pass

x = Student("Mike", "Olsen")

x.printname() # Output: Mike Olsen

Reference: Python Inheritance

Practice: Try it at Child Class

c. Adding the __init__() Function

The child class can define its own __init__() function, calling the parent’s __init__() explicitly.

Example:class Student(Person):

def __init__(self, fname, lname):

Person.__init__(self, fname, lname)

x = Student("Mike", "Olsen")

x.printname() # Output: Mike Olsen

Practice: Try it at Child init

d. Using the super() Function

The super() function calls the parent class’s methods, including __init__().

Example:class Student(Person):

def __init__(self, fname, lname, year):

super().__init__(fname, lname)

self.graduationyear = year

x = Student("Mike", "Olsen", 2019)

print(x.graduationyear) # Output: 2019

Reference: Python Inheritance

Practice: Try it at super() Function

e. Adding Properties

Child classes can add new properties.

Example:class Student(Person):

def __init__(self, fname, lname, year):

super().__init__(fname, lname)
 self.graduationyear = year

x = Student("Mike", "Olsen", 2019)

print(x.graduationyear) # Output: 2019

Reference: Python Inheritance

Practice: Try it at Add Properties

f. Adding Methods

Child classes can add new methods or override parent methods.

Example:class Student(Person):

def __init__(self, fname, lname, year):

super().__init__(fname, lname)

self.graduationyear = year

def welcome(self):

print("Welcome", self.firstname, self.lastname, "to the class of", self.graduationyear)

x = Student("Mike", "Olsen", 2019)

x.welcome() # Output: Welcome Mike Olsen to the class of 2019

Reference: Python Inheritance

Practice: Try it at Add Methods

Polymorphism allows methods to perform different actions based on the object calling them, enhancing
flexibility.

a. Function Polymorphism

Built-in functions like len() work differently for various data types.

Example:print(len("Hello, World!")) # Output: 13

print(len([10, 20, 30])) # Output: 3

Reference: Python Polymorphism

Practice: Try it at Function Polymorphism

b. Class Polymorphism

Different classes can have methods with the same name but different implementations.

Example:class Car:

def move(self):

print("I am moving on 4 wheels")

class Boat:

def move(self):

print("I am moving on water")

car = Car()
boat = Boat()

for x in (car, boat):

x.move()

# Output:

# I am moving on 4 wheels

# I am moving on water

Reference: Python Polymorphism

Practice: Try it at Class Polymorphism

c. Inheritance Polymorphism

Child classes can override parent class methods to provide specific implementations.

Example:class Vehicle:

def move(self):

print("I am moving")

class Car(Vehicle):

def move(self):

print("I am moving on 4 wheels")

car = Car()

car.move() # Output: I am moving on 4 wheels

Practice: Try it at Inheritance Polymorphism

5. Encapsulation

Encapsulation involves bundling data and methods within a class and restricting access to some
components to protect data integrity.

Python achieves encapsulation using naming conventions: a single underscore (_) for protected variables
and double underscores (__) for private variables (name mangling).

Example:class MyClass:

def __init__(self):

self.__private_var = "I am private"

def get_private_var(self):

return self.__private_var

obj = MyClass()

print(obj.get_private_var()) # Output: I am private

# print(obj.__private_var) # Raises an error due to name mangling

Note: Python’s private variables are not strictly private but use name mangling to discourage direct
access.

Reference: Python Classes

6. Abstraction
Abstraction hides complex implementation details, exposing only the necessary features through a
simplified interface.

In Python, abstraction is achieved through class design, where methods provide a user-friendly interface
without revealing internal workings.

Example:class ComplexNumber:

def __init__(self, real, imag):

self.real = real

self.imag = imag

def add(self, other):

return ComplexNumber(self.real + other.real, self.imag + other.imag)

def __str__(self):

return f"{self.real} + {self.imag}i"

c1 = ComplexNumber(1, 2)

c2 = ComplexNumber(3, 4)

c3 = c1.add(c2)

print(c3) # Output: 4 + 6i

The user interacts with the add method without needing to understand the internal logic of complex
number addition.

Reference: Inherent in class design, covered indirectly in Python Classes

7. Additional Resources
Interactive Examples: w3schools.com offers “Try it Yourself” examples for each concept, accessible via
the links provided in each section.

Related Topics: Explore related Python topics like modules and iterators at Python Tutorial.

Exercises: Practice OOP with exercises at Python Exercises.

8. How to Use This Tutor

Step 1: Start with the introduction to understand the role of OOP in Python.

Step 2: Study classes and objects to build a strong foundation.

Step 3: Learn about inheritance and how to create child classes.

Step 4: Understand polymorphism and how methods can behave differently for different objects.

Step 5: Explore encapsulation and abstraction to learn how to manage data access and complexity.

Step 6: Use the “Try it Yourself” examples on w3schools.com for hands-on practice.

9. Summary Table of OOP Concepts

Concept

Description

Reference

Classes

Blueprints for creating objects

Objects

Instances of classes

Python Classes

Inheritance

Allows child classes to inherit from parent classes

Python Inheritance

Polymorphism

Methods can do different things based on the object

Python Polymorphism

Encapsulation

Bundling data and methods, restricting access

Python Classes

Abstraction

Hiding complex implementation details