What are the best practices for using abstract base classes in Python?

What are the best practices for using abstract base classes in Python?

When using abstract base classes (ABCs) in Python, it's important to define clear interfaces, use the abc module, and ensure that subclasses implement all abstract methods.

Can you give me an example of how to define an abstract base class?

Sure! You can define an abstract base class using the ABC class from the abc module. Here's a simple example:

from abc import ABC, abstractmethod

class Shape(ABC):
    @abstractmethod
    def area(self):
        pass

class Circle(Shape):
    def __init__(self, radius):
        self.radius = radius

    def area(self):
        return 3.14 * self.radius ** 2

What are the advantages of using ABCs?

ABCs provide a way to enforce a contract for subclasses, ensuring that they implement specific methods. This promotes code consistency and helps with code maintenance.

Are there any common pitfalls to avoid when using ABCs?

Yes, some common pitfalls include not implementing all abstract methods in subclasses, creating too many levels of inheritance, and overusing ABCs when simple interfaces would suffice.