Using Python’s .__dict__ to Work With Attributes
Python’s .__dict__ is a special attribute in classes and instances that acts as a namespace, mapping attribute names to their corresponding values. You can use .__dict__ to inspect, modify, add, or delete attributes dynamically, which makes it a versatile tool for metaprogramming and debugging.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn about using .__dict__ in various contexts, including classes, instances, and functions. You’ll also explore its role in inheritance with practical examples and comparisons to other tools for manipulating attributes.
By the end of this tutorial, you’ll understand that:
.__dict__holds an object’s writable attributes, allowing for dynamic manipulation and introspection.- Both
vars()and.__dict__let you inspect an object’s attributes. The.__dict__attribute gives you direct access to the object’s