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table of contents

custom data objects
6 Bundling code with data

It’s important to match your data structure choice to your data.
And that choice can make a big difference to the complexity of your code. In Python,
although really useful, lists and sets aren’t the only game in town. The Python dictionary
lets you organize your data for speedy lookup by associating your data with names, not
numbers. And when Python’s built-in data structures don’t quite cut it, the Python class
statement lets you define your own. This chapter shows you how.

Coach Kelly is back (with a new file format) 174
Use a dictionary to associate data 178
Bundle your code and its data in a class 189
Define a class 190
Use class to define classes 191
The importance of self 192
Every method’s first argument is self 193
Inherit from Python’s built-in list 204
Coach Kelly is impressed 211
Your Python Toolbox 212

The Object
Factory

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