What are the best practices for using properties in Python?

What are the best practices for using properties in Python?

Using properties in Python allows you to manage attribute access and validation. Best practices include using the @property decorator for getter methods, and @<property_name>.setter for setter methods. This encapsulation helps maintain control over how attributes are accessed and modified.

Can you give an example of how to implement a property?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

class Circle:
    def __init__(self, radius):
        self._radius = radius

    @property
    def radius(self):
        return self._radius

    @radius.setter
    def radius(self, value):
        if value < 0:
            raise ValueError('Radius cannot be negative')
        self._radius = value

What are the advantages of using properties instead of public attributes?

Properties provide a way to add validation, encapsulation, and computed attributes without changing the interface. This means you can change the internal implementation without affecting the users of your class.

Are there any performance considerations I should be aware of?

Yes, while properties add a layer of abstraction, they can introduce a slight overhead compared to direct attribute access. However, this is usually negligible unless you're working in performance-critical code.