What are decorators in Python and how do they differ from functions?

What are decorators in Python and how do they differ from regular functions?

Decorators are a way to modify or enhance functions or methods in Python without changing their code. They are essentially functions that take another function as an argument and extend its behavior.

Can you give me an example of a simple decorator?

Sure! Here's a simple decorator that prints 'Hello' before calling the function:

def my_decorator(func):
    def wrapper():
        print('Hello')
        func()
    return wrapper

@my_decorator
def say_hello():
    print('World!')

say_hello()  # Output: Hello
               #         World!

How do decorators differ from higher-order functions?

Great question! While both decorators and higher-order functions take functions as arguments, decorators are specifically designed to modify or enhance the behavior of the function they wrap, whereas higher-order functions can be used for a broader range of purposes, such as returning new functions or performing operations on functions.

Can decorators take arguments?

Yes, decorators can take arguments! You would typically define a decorator factory that returns a decorator. Here's an example:

def repeat(num_times):
    def decorator_repeat(func):
        def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
            for _ in range(num_times):
                func(*args, **kwargs)
        return wrapper
    return decorator_repeat

@repeat(3)
def greet(name):
    print(f'Hello, {name}!')

greet('Alice')  # Output: Hello, Alice! (3 times)