| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| class | Tell Python to make a new kind of thing |
| object | Two meanings: The most basic kind of thing, and any instance of some thing. |
| instance | What you get when you tell Python to create a class |
| self | Inside the functions in a class, self is a variable for the instance/object being accessed |
| inheritance | The concept that a class can be composed inherit traits from another class, much like you and your parents |
| composition | The concept that a class can be composed of other classes as parts, much like a car has wheels |
| attribute | A property classes have that are from composition and are usually variables |
| is-a | A phrase to say something inherits from another, as in a "salmon" is-a "fish". |
| has-a | A phrase to say that something is composed of other things or has a trait, as in "a salmon" has-a "mouth". |
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
class X(Y) |
"Make a class named X that is-a Y" |
class X(object):def__init__(self, J) |
"class X has-a init that takes self and J parameters" |
class X(object): def M(self, J) |
"class X has-a function named M that takes self and J parameters." |
foo = X() |
"Set foo to an instance of class X". |
foo.M(J) |
"From foo get the M function, and call it with parameters self, J" |
foo.K = Q |
"From foo get the K attribute, and set it to Q". |