Why use __init__() method?

Q&A
#1

Hello,

Can someone explain me why I should use the init() method? After reading some documentation I don’t see the use of it. Please explain with a practical example and usecases

Many thanks!

#2

The __init__ method is roughly what represents a constructor in Python. When you call A() Python creates an object for you, and passes it as the first parameter to the __init__ method. Any additional parameters (e.g., A(24, 'Hello') ) will also get passed as arguments–in this case causing an exception to be raised, since the constructor isn’t expecting them.

More information is here.

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#3

Thanks! This example helped me out understandig the init method:

In this code:

class Cat:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name
    def info(self):
        print 'I am a cat and I am called', self.name

Here __init__ acts as a constructor for the class and when an object is instantiated, this function is called. self represents the instantiating object.

c = Cat('Kitty')
c.info()

The result of the above statements will be as follows:

I am a cat and I am called Kitty
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