A Comparison of the Python Magic Methods: __str__ and __repr__

A Comparison of the Python Magic Methods: __str__ and __repr__

In Python, magic methods are special methods that allow us to define how objects of a class should behave in certain situations. Two commonly used magic methods are __str__ and __repr__. These methods are used to provide a string representation of an object, but they have some differences in their functionality and purpose. In this article, we will explore the differences between __str__ and __repr__ and when to use each of them.

__str__:

The __str__ method is used to provide a human-readable string representation of an object. It is intended to be used for display purposes, such as printing or logging. When we call the str() function on an object or use the print statement, the __str__ method is automatically invoked.

Here’s an example to illustrate the usage of __str__:

“`python

class Person:

def __init__(self, name, age):

self.name = name

self.age = age

def __str__(self):

return f”Person(name={self.name}, age={self.age})”

person = Person(“John”, 25)

print(person) # Output: Person(name=John, age=25)

“`

In the above example, the __str__ method is defined to return a formatted string representation of the Person object. When we print the person object, the __str__ method is automatically called, and the formatted string is displayed.

__repr__:

The __repr__ method is used to provide a unambiguous string representation of an object. It is intended to be used for debugging and development purposes. When we call the repr() function on an object or use the interactive interpreter, the __repr__ method is automatically invoked.

Here’s an example to illustrate the usage of __repr__:

“`python

class Point:

def __init__(self, x, y):

self.x = x

self.y = y

def __repr__(self):

return f”Point(x={self.x}, y={self.y})”

point = Point(3, 4)

print(repr(point)) # Output: Point(x=3, y=4)

“`

In the above example, the __repr__ method is defined to return a formatted string representation of the Point object. When we call the repr() function on the point object, the __repr__ method is automatically called, and the formatted string is displayed.

Differences between __str__ and __repr__:

The main difference between __str__ and __repr__ is their intended purpose. __str__ is used for display purposes and should provide a human-readable string representation of an object. On the other hand, __repr__ is used for debugging and development purposes and should provide a unambiguous string representation of an object.

Another difference is in their default behavior. If a class does not define a __str__ method, but defines a __repr__ method, the __repr__ method will be used as a fallback for __str__. However, if a class does not define either __str__ or __repr__, the default string representation will be used, which is not very informative.

When to use each method:

– Use __str__ when you want to provide a human-readable string representation of an object for display purposes.

– Use __repr__ when you want to provide a unambiguous string representation of an object for debugging and development purposes.

In conclusion, both __str__ and __repr__ are important magic methods in Python that allow us to define how objects should be represented as strings. Understanding their differences and knowing when to use each method can greatly enhance the readability and debugging capabilities of our code.

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