When Should You Use Classes in Python? A Practical Guide

In Python, classes are a fundamental part of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) that help with code organization, reusability, and encapsulation. However, for many Python users, especially those working primarily with data analysis and scripting, the need for classes may not seem obvious. This guide will cover when and why to use classes, with examples to illustrate the benefits.

1. Understanding the Purpose of Classes

Classes are an essential component of OOP, focusing on creating structures to model real-world entities and complex logic. They’re particularly useful for encapsulating data and behavior together, which can simplify code, help track state, and make code reusable. If your code revolves around specific entities (e.g., students, users, or database connections), classes can help manage related data and methods.

For example, if you’re managing a list of students, a class can encapsulate attributes like name, age, and grades, along with methods for calculating the GPA.

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