Get started learning Python with DataCamp's free Intro to Python tutorial. Learn Data Science by completing interactive coding challenges and watching videos by expert instructors. Start Now!
Ready to take the test? Head onto LearnX and get your Python Certification!
Code Introspection
Code introspection is the ability to examine classes, functions and keywords to know what they are, what they do and what they know.
Python provides several functions and utilities for code introspection.
help()
dir()
hasattr()
id()
type()
repr()
callable()
issubclass()
isinstance()
__doc__
__name__
Often the most important one is the help function, since you can use it to find what other functions do.
Exercise
Print a list of all attributes of the given Vehicle object.
# Use the help function to see what each function does.
# Delete this when you are done.
help(dir)
help(hasattr)
help(id)
# Define the Vehicle class.
class Vehicle:
name = ""
kind = "car"
color = ""
value = 100.00
def description(self):
desc_str = "%s is a %s %s worth $%.2f." % (self.name, self.color, self.kind, self.value)
return desc_str
# Print a list of all attributes of the Vehicle class.
# Your code goes here
# Define the Vehicle class
class Vehicle:
name = ""
kind = "car"
color = ""
value = 100.00
def description(self):
desc_str = "%s is a %s %s worth $%.2f." % (self.name, self.color, self.kind, self.value)
return desc_str
# Print a list of all attributes of the Vehicle class.
print(dir(Vehicle))
test_output_contains("['__doc__', '__module__', 'color', 'description', 'kind', 'name', 'value']")
test_student_typed("print")
success_msg("Very nice!")
This site is generously supported by DataCamp. DataCamp offers online interactive Python Tutorials for Data Science. Join over a million other learners and get started learning Python for data science today!
Ready to take the test? Head onto LearnX and get your Python Certification!
Previous Tutorial Next Tutorial Take the TestSponsors
