What are generic types in Python?

What are generic types in Python?

Generic types in Python allow you to define functions and classes that can operate on different data types while maintaining type safety.

Can you give me an example of a generic type in Python?

Sure! Here's a simple example using a generic function:

from typing import TypeVar, List

T = TypeVar('T')

def get_first_element(elements: List[T]) -> T:
    return elements[0]

This function can accept a list of any type and return the first element.

How do I use generic types in classes?

You can use generic types in classes similarly. Here's an example:

from typing import TypeVar, Generic

T = TypeVar('T')

class Box(Generic[T]):
    def __init__(self, content: T):
        self.content = content

    def get_content(self) -> T:
        return self.content

This Box class can hold any type of content.

Are there any limitations to using generic types?

Yes, while generic types are powerful, they can make code more complex and harder to read. Also, not all operations are valid for all types.