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inherit class

Inherit from Python’s built-in list

Python’s class lets you create a custom class from scratch, just like you did with
your Athlete class. However, class also lets you create a class by inheriting
from any other existing class, including Python’s built-in data structure classes
that provide you with list, set, and dict. Such classes are referred to as
subclasses.
What’s really nice is that when you inherit from an existing class (such as
list), you are given all of the existing functionality for free.
As your existing class is really nothing more than a list with added attributes,
perhaps a better design is to kill off your Athlete class and replace it
with a class that inherits from the built-in list class? It’s certainly worth
considering, isn’t it?

Sorry to hear about your
Athlete class. But, according
to my files, you’re in line to inherit a
mountain of functionality from the
built-in list class. Congratulations,
you’re rich!

Slippery
lawyer-type

204 Chapter 6