What is the Singleton Pattern in Python?

What is the Singleton Pattern in Python?

The Singleton Pattern ensures a class has only one instance and provides a global point of access to it.

Can you show me an example of how to implement it?

Sure! Here's a simple implementation:

class Singleton:
    _instance = None

    def __new__(cls):
        if cls._instance is None:
            cls._instance = super(Singleton, cls).__new__(cls)
        return cls._instance

What are the use cases for the Singleton Pattern?

Common use cases include managing shared resources like database connections or configurations.

Are there any drawbacks to using the Singleton Pattern?

Yes, it can introduce global state into an application, making it harder to test and maintain.