What are the advantages of using data classes in Python?

What are the advantages of using data classes in Python?

Data classes in Python provide a simple way to create classes that are primarily used to store data. They automatically generate special methods like init(), repr(), and eq(), which reduces boilerplate code.

Can you give me an example of how to define a data class?

Sure! You can define a data class using the @dataclass decorator. For example:

from dataclasses import dataclass

dataclass
class Point:
    x: int
    y: int

This creates a Point class with x and y attributes.

What about immutability? Can data classes be immutable?

Yes, you can make data classes immutable by setting the frozen=True parameter in the @dataclass decorator. This prevents modification of the attributes after creation.

Are there any performance benefits to using data classes?

Data classes can improve performance slightly due to reduced boilerplate and optimized memory usage, but the main advantage is code clarity and maintainability.