Coding, Software Development

Programming Essentials: Is Python Object-Oriented?

Written by Karin Kelley
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Updated on September 24, 2024

Python has emerged as a popular language in object-oriented programming (OOP). Its structure, accessibility, speed, and ease of use help you implement OOP for multiple applications. With the rising preference for image and model-based explanations and concepts, a type of programming that enables data bundling is required. This bundling allows data with the same attributes to undergo similar functions without repeating the code.

This article will answer the question: “Is Python object-oriented?” and share examples and advantages of this robust programming language.

For a deeper dive into the subject to prepare for a career in this field, consider joining a web development bootcamp.

The Meaning of Object-Oriented Programming

Object-oriented programming uses objects to define and form the code rather than logic-based functions. The object is a group of data with similar attributes and features. This type of programming is beneficial for large and complex programs with datasets consisting of images or visual representation, such as design, simulation software, mobile applications, and e-commerce products.

It relies on four key pillars — encapsulation, abstraction, inheritance, and polymorphism. You must choose a language with these four pillars’ capabilities to achieve OOP. So, what does an object-oriented language involve? Let’s take a look.

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What is an Object-Oriented Programming Language?

An object-oriented programming language is a programming language with the syntax required to define classes and assign attributes. It is scalable and can compile long codes that are typical for OOP. Among the multiple programming languages used globally, some work the best for OOP, such as Java, Scala, Kotlin, Python, C++, and Visual Basic. NET.

These languages typically provide a vast library with community-contributed codes. You can source codes and reuse them, thus saving time. For example, Java is a platform-free and secure language that provides structured and reusable code. It enables multithreading and multitasking, which are helpful for OOP. It is primarily a static language.

Another example is Ruby, which enables server-side programming and is preferred for web crawling and data processing. It is a purely OOP language that requires fewer code lines than other languages and has a syntax similar to Python.

Python encompasses the features of both languages and more. Let us dig into why Python is object-oriented.

Why is Python Object-Oriented?

Python has long been preferred as a high-level programming language for its ease of use and fast compiling. It is simple to learn with simple syntax and indentations. It has several plugins, built-in packages, and libraries you can access during your web development process. Python also enables code creation for machine learning, data processing, and visualization with the help of libraries such as Matplotlb, pandas, and NumPy, primarily focused on data analysis.

Further, it has certain fundamental building blocks that make it perfect for OOP. Let us go through them one by one.

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Classes

Classes are data types that consist of the objects’ variables, attributes, functions, and methods. They are user-defined blueprints of the objects, and any other object with similar features can be assigned to the same class. Python uses the keyword class to create these classes. It is also easy to retrieve the attributes for the class in Python. For instance, if you make a class named ‘Clothes,’ the attributes will be type, size, and color.

Objects

Objects are the group of data or classes with specific attributes. They have their method and functions that you can access. Python allows you to define such objects and assign methods and attributes to them. It treats it like a real-world object rather than a logic-based code. For instance, in the class ‘Clothes,’ the object would be formals, and the data would be ‘shirt, 34, black’, ‘trousers, 40, blue’, and ‘t-shirt, 36, brown.’

Encapsulation

Encapsulation is the grouping of data and methods together such that it restricts access to the objects. You can only change the attributes or variables if you can access the methods. These are called private attributes. Python facilitates the creation and use of private attributes with the help of a prefix of single or double underscores (_ or __). Adding an underscore prevents anyone else from changing a specific attribute. For example, if you use __color instead of color, the other attributes of size and type can be changed, but not the color.

Polymorphism

Polymorphism is the process in which an object or method can perform different functions in multiple scenarios. Suppose you create a class of fiction books and another of instructional manuals. You assign the attribute of page numbers to the class. You can then use the same function to find the page numbers for every book name. You can do this in Python by writing the function followed by the book name using the appropriate syntax.

Abstraction

It’s similar to encapsulation, with the only difference being that abstraction conceals every little unnecessary detail that is not required for assessing the big picture. It helps to view only the significant features needed to verify the program’s efficacy. You can divide the program into smaller parts to hide the minor information.

Abstraction enhances the flexibility of handling abstract data types in multiple scenarios. For example, in a mobile phone, a screen is an abstraction where the details of how it is programmed, the exact instructions to move from one application to another, and the form of the display are hidden. Python helps you create abstract classes and abstract methods to achieve this purpose.

Inheritance

Inheritance refers to forming a child class from a parent class. This child class can use the functions and attributes of the parent class and further can be modified to add or change some of them.

Python can form the child and parent classes and lets you directly use the methods from the parent class. As such, you do not have to repeat the work put in to form the parent class.

Further, any subclasses of the child class also inherit the attributes of the parent class. This inheritance has several types. For example, a single inheritance is when one child class inherits from a single-parent class. Multi-level inheritance is when multiple levels of the child class inherit the attributes. Hierarchical inheritance is when multiple child classes of the same level inherit from a parent class. The last one is multiple inheritance, where one child class inherits from multiple parent classes.

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Is Python Object-Oriented? Example

In Python, say you create a class Cat. You assign attributes such as name, age, color, and size. Then, you assign its sound and movement, such as meow, leap, and run. These are methods.

Now, if you decide to add data related to the cats in an animal shelter, you would add their names, ages, colors, and sizes. Further, you will use methods to talk about the sound they make or the magnitude of their running speed and leaps.

In this case, if you want to make another class, ‘Dog,’ you can use the attributes of name and age from the previous class. You can also use the leap and run methods. You can further change the process of ‘meow’ to ‘bark.’

Advantages of Python as an OOP Language

Python provides distinct advantages for OOP projects. Here are some of them.

Python provides a code library where you can reuse code to share a class with the help of class inheritance
It is flexible and allows the class to adapt any function as required
Python has provision for scaling the programming process for associated system functionalities
It is one of the unique languages that enables message-passing to simplify object communication
Productivity is improved as the programmers can save time by reusing the code and class library
Python has excellent encapsulation capabilities that ensure the security of the objects
It provides simple troubleshooting and easy collaboration
Python further helps maintain the software and protect protocols

Also Read: Web Development Tutorial: What is Unit Testing in Python?

Master OOP and Other Essential Concepts in Python

OOP is a fundamental feature in Python that enables web developers to create scalable and modular applications. Aspiring web developers must understand the intricacies of using Python for OOP to be able to work on web applications based on Python. Only then can they use its capabilities to the fullest extent and build maintainable and efficient software.

Completing a carefully curated Full Stack Web Development Program is one of the best ways to achieve this. This course imparts fundamental knowledge in Java data structures, back-end technologies, development and production environments using containerization, and critical concepts of SQL. You will also learn tools like Docker, Agile and Scrum methodologies, Git, MongoDB, JUnit, and Amazon S3. Industry experts will guide you as you work on Capstone projects that work as a feather in your cap.

FAQs

1. Is Python object-oriented or functional?

Python is primarily a functional language, but its capabilities allow it to be used for OOP. It provides multiple approaches for coding as necessary.

2. What is object-oriented programming?

Object-oriented programming is a form of programming that uses objects and classes to identify and categorize data instead of logic-based methods and functions. It defines an object as a data group with distinct attributes.

3. Is Python more object-oriented than Java?

Java and Python provide different approaches to OOP. Python is more dynamic, while Java is static-based. The choice between the two depends on the kind of application one needs to develop.