A class is like a blueprint or template for creating objects. It defines what attributes (data) and methods (functions) the objects will have. In Python, everything is an object - from numbers and strings to lists and user-defined classes. An object combines data (attributes) and behavior (methods) into a single unit
For example:
- Suppose we create a class called Dog with attributes like breed, age, and color, and behaviors like bark(), sleep(), and eat().
- An object of this class could be: a Labrador that is 5 years old and black in color.
You can create as many dog objects as you like, each with different values, but all of them follow the same Dog class.
Key Features of an Object
Every object in Python has three important characteristics:
- State: Represented by attributes (e.g., age, breed, color).
- Behavior: Represented by methods (e.g., bark(), sleep(), eat()).
- Identity: A unique identity that distinguishes one object from another.