What are the benefits of using decorators in Python?

What are the benefits of using decorators in Python?

Decorators in Python provide a way to modify or enhance functions or methods without changing their code. They can help with code reusability, readability, and separation of concerns.

Can you give me an example of a decorator?

Sure! Here's a simple example of a decorator that logs the execution time of a function:

import time

def timer_decorator(func):
    def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
        start_time = time.time()
        result = func(*args, **kwargs)
        end_time = time.time()
        print(f"Execution time: {end_time - start_time} seconds")
        return result
    return wrapper

@timer_decorator
def my_function():
    time.sleep(1)
    print("Function executed")

my_function()

What are some common use cases for decorators?

Common use cases for decorators include logging, access control, caching, and enforcing preconditions or postconditions on functions.

Are there any performance implications of using decorators?

Yes, while decorators can enhance functionality, they may introduce slight overhead due to the additional function calls. However, this is often negligible compared to the benefits they provide.