What are some common usage patterns for context managers in Python?

What are some common usage patterns for context managers in Python?

Context managers in Python are often used for resource management, like file handling and database connections. They ensure that resources are properly acquired and released.

Can you give me an example of a context manager in action?

Sure! A common example is using the with statement to open a file:

with open('file.txt', 'r') as file:
    data = file.read()

This automatically closes the file after the block is executed.

What happens if an error occurs while using a context manager?

If an error occurs, the context manager will still ensure that resources are released properly. For example, the file will be closed even if an exception is raised within the with block.

Are there any best practices for creating custom context managers?

Yes! When creating custom context managers, it's best to implement the __enter__ and __exit__ methods. This allows you to define setup and teardown actions clearly.