Getters and Setters in Python (Overview)
If you come from a language like Java or C++, then you’re probably used to writing getter and setter methods for every attribute in your classes. These methods allow you to access and mutate private attributes while maintaining encapsulation. In Python, you’ll typically expose attributes as part of your public API and use properties when you need attributes with functional behavior.
Even though properties are the Pythonic way to go, they can have some practical drawbacks. Because of this, you’ll find some situations where getters and setters are preferable over properties.
In this video course, you’ll:
- Write getter and setter methods in your classes
- Replace getter and setter methods with properties
- Explore other tools to replace getter and setter methods in Python
- Decide when setter and getter methods can be the right tool for the job
To get the most out of this course, you should be familiar with Python object-oriented programming. It’ll also be a plus if you have basic knowledge of Python properties and descriptors.
00:00 Getters and Setters in Python. If you come from a language like Java or C++, then you are probably used to writing getter and setter methods for every attribute in your classes.
00:12 These methods allow you to access and mutate private attributes while maintaining encapsulation. In Python, you’ll typically expose attributes as part of your public API and use properties when you need attributes with functional behavior.
00:26 Even though properties are the Pythonic way to go, they can have some practical drawbacks. Because of this, you’ll find some situations where getters and setters are preferable over properties. In this course, you’ll write getter and setter methods in your classes, replace getter and setter methods with properties, explore other tools to replace getter and setter methods in Python, and decide when setter and getter methods can be the right tool for the job.
00:55 To get the most out of this course, you should be familiar with Python object-oriented programming, and Real Python has got you covered with this course.
01:04 It will help if you have basic knowledge of Python properties and descriptors. And once again, Real Python has you covered with this video course on properties and this tutorial on descriptors.
01:19 So now you know what’s going to be covered, let’s get started.
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