Python Descriptors: Understanding and Using the Descriptor Protocol - Softcover

Zimmerman, Jacob

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1484237269 ISBN 13: 9781484237267

Publisher: Apress, 2018

Synopsis

Create descriptors and see ideas and examples of how to use descriptors effectively. In this short book, you’ll explore descriptors in general, with a deep explanation of what descriptors are, how they work, and how they're used. Once you understand the simplicity of the descriptor protocol, the author delves into using and creating descriptors in practice, with plenty of tips, patterns, and real-world guidance. Because descriptors are inherently flexible, you’ll work with multiple examples illustrating how to best take advantage of them.

This second edition includes additions throughout, including new material covering the set_name_() descriptors, new and improved flowcharts to explain the inner workings of descriptors, and a completely new chapter to address instance-level attributes, the easiest way to create descriptors correctly the first time. 

Although brief, Python Descriptors is a comprehensive guide to creating Python descriptors, including a pip install-able library called descriptor_tools, which was written alongside this book and is an open source library on GitHub. After reading this book, you will have a solid understanding of how descriptors work and the techniques to avoid the big gotchas associated with working with them.

What You Will Learn

• Discover descriptor protocols
  
• Master attribute access and how it applies to descriptors
  
• Build your own descriptors
  
• Use descriptors to store attributes
  
• Create read-only descriptors 
  
• Explore the descriptor classes
  
• Apply the other uses of descriptors 
  

Who This Book Is For

Experienced Python coders, programmers, and developers.

About this title

About the Author

Jacob Zimmerman is a blogger, gamer (tabletop more so than video games), and programmer who was born and raised in Wisconsin. He has a twin brother who could also be considered to have all those traits.

Jacob has his own programming blog that focuses on Java, Kotlin, and Python programming, Programming Ideas with Jake. He also writes for a gaming blog with his brother-in-law called Ramblings of Jacob and Delos.

From the Back Cover

Create descriptors and see ideas and examples of how to use descriptors effectively. In this short book, you’ll explore descriptors in general, with a deep explanation of what descriptors are, how they work, and how they're used. Once you understand the simplicity of the descriptor protocol, the author delves into using and creating descriptors in practice, with plenty of tips, patterns, and real-world guidance. Because descriptors are inherently flexible, you’ll work with multiple examples illustrating how to best take advantage of them.

This second edition includes additions throughout, including new material covering the set_name_() descriptors, new and improved flowcharts to explain the inner workings of descriptors, and a completely new chapter to address instance-level attributes, the easiest way to create descriptors correctly the first time. 

Although brief, Python Descriptors is a comprehensive guide to creating Python descriptors, including a pip install-able library called descriptor_tools, which was written alongside this book and is an open source library on GitHub. After reading this book, you will have a solid understanding of how descriptors work and the techniques to avoid the big gotchas associated with working with them.

You will:

• Discover descriptor protocols
  
• Master attribute access and how it applies to descriptors
  
• Build your own descriptors
  
• Use descriptors to store attributes
  
• Create read-only descriptors 
  
• Explore the descriptor classes
  
• Apply the other uses of descriptors 

Edition details

• Publisher: Apress
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1484237269
• ISBN 13: 9781484237267
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 111