What are the differences between instance and class attributes in Python?

What are the differences between instance and class attributes in Python?

In Python, instance attributes are specific to an object, while class attributes are shared across all instances of a class.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! An instance attribute can be defined in the __init__ method, like self.name. A class attribute is defined directly in the class, like species = 'Dog'.

How do they affect memory usage?

Instance attributes consume more memory since each object has its own copy, while class attributes use less memory as they are shared.

When should I use class attributes instead of instance attributes?

Use class attributes when you want to store data that is common to all instances, like constants or default values.