What are Python decorator patterns and how do they work?

What are Python decorator patterns and how do they work?

Python decorators are a design pattern that allows you to modify the behavior of a function or class. They are often used to add functionality to existing code in a clean and readable way.

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_name():
    print('My name is John')

say_name()  # This will print 'Hello' followed by 'My name is John'

What are some common use cases for decorators?

Common use cases for decorators include logging, enforcing access control, caching results, and measuring execution time.

How do decorators differ from higher-order functions?

Decorators are a specific type of higher-order function that are used to modify or enhance other functions or methods, typically with a syntactic sugar using the @ symbol.