What are the best practices for using immutable objects in Python?

What are the best practices for using immutable objects in Python?

Using immutable objects in Python can enhance performance and safety. Best practices include using tuples instead of lists, leveraging frozensets, and ensuring that your custom classes are immutable by overriding methods like setattr.

Can you give me an example of an immutable object?

Sure! A common example of an immutable object in Python is a tuple. For instance, my_tuple = (1, 2, 3) cannot be modified after its creation.

What are the advantages of using immutable objects?

Immutable objects are thread-safe, can be used as dictionary keys, and help prevent accidental changes, leading to more predictable code.

Are there any downsides to using immutable objects?

Yes, the main downside is that they can lead to increased memory usage if many copies are created, and they may require more complex code for modifications.

How do I create a custom immutable class?

To create a custom immutable class, define your class with __init__ to set attributes and override __setattr__ to prevent changes after initialization.