Python Nested Functions

In Python, functions can be nested inside other functions. A nested function is only visible within the enclosing function. This allows us to create utility functions that are specific to a particular function and not needed elsewhere. But why would we want to “hide” a function if it isn’t causing any harm? Well, it’s always good practice to hide functionality that is only relevant within a specific scope. Additionally, nested functions can make use of closures, which we’ll discuss later....

Python Operator Overloading

Operator overloading is a powerful technique that allows us to make classes comparable and work with Python operators. In this blog post, we will explore how operator overloading can be used to enhance the functionality of our classes. Let’s start by considering a simple class called Dog: class Dog: def __init__(self, name, age): self.name = name self.age = age Now, let’s create two Dog objects: roger = Dog('Roger', 8) syd = Dog('Syd', 7) To compare these two objects based on their age property, we can use operator overloading....

Python Operators: A Comprehensive Guide

When working with Python, operators play a crucial role in manipulating values and variables. In Python, operators can be categorized based on the type of operation they perform. These categories include assignment operators, arithmetic operators, comparison operators, logical operators, bitwise operators, as well as some interesting operators like ‘is’ and ‘in’. Assignment Operator The assignment operator is used to assign a value to a variable or to assign the value of one variable to another variable....

Python Ternary Operator: Simplifying Conditional Statements

The Python ternary operator provides a concise and efficient way to define conditionals in your code. Instead of writing lengthy if-else statements, you can use the ternary operator to streamline the process. Imagine you have a function that compares the value of an age variable to the number 18, and you want the function to return True if the age is greater than 18, and False otherwise. Traditionally, you would write the following code:...

Python Tuples: An Introduction

Tuples are a fundamental data structure in Python that allow for the creation of immutable groups of objects. Once a tuple is created, its values cannot be modified, added, or removed. Tuples are created using parentheses instead of square brackets, similar to lists: names = ("Roger", "Syd") Just like lists, tuples are ordered, which means you can access their values using index values: names[0] # "Roger" names[1] # "Syd" You can also use the index() method to find the position of a value within a tuple:...

Python, Accepting Input

When developing a command line application in Python, it is important to be able to display information to the user as well as accept input from them. This can be achieved using the print() function to display information and the input() function to accept input. To display information to the user, you can use the print() function as follows: name = "Roger" print(name) By using print(), you can output the value of a variable or any other desired information to the console....

Python: How to Get File Details

When working with files in Python, you may need to retrieve specific details about a file, such as its size, last modified date, and creation date. Luckily, the os module provides several methods to retrieve this information. To get started, here are a few methods you can use: 1. os.path.getsize() This method returns the size of the file in bytes. You simply need to pass the file path as an argument....

Running a Web Server from Any Folder

Running a web server from a specific folder on your system can be a common requirement. However, configuring a full-fledged web server like Apache or Nginx might not be practical for quick testing or temporary use. Fortunately, depending on your preferred programming language, you may already have the necessary tools at your disposal. Node.js Approach If you use Node.js and have already installed npm, you can easily accomplish this task. Start by running the following command:...

Simplifying Exception Handling with Python's `with` Statement

The with statement in Python is a powerful tool that simplifies exception handling, particularly when working with files. It provides a more concise and readable way to open and close files, eliminating the need for manual handling. Consider the following code snippet that opens a file, reads its contents, and prints them: filename = '/Users/flavio/test.txt' try: file = open(filename, 'r') content = file.read() print(content) finally: file.close() While this code accomplishes the task, it involves manually opening, reading, and closing the file....

Understanding Python Polymorphism

Polymorphism is a key concept in object-oriented programming that allows a single interface to be used for different types of objects. It enables the flexibility to define a common method across multiple classes. To better illustrate this concept, let’s take the example of two classes: Dog and Cat. class Dog: def eat(): print('Eating dog food') class Cat: def eat(): print('Eating cat food') In the above code snippet, both classes have a method called eat....