Jython classes and objects

27 Sep 2023

Jython is an implementation of the Python programming language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It allows developers to leverage the power and simplicity of Python while taking advantage of the Java ecosystem. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of classes and objects in Jython.

Classes in Jython

In Jython, a class is a blueprint for creating objects. It defines the properties and behavior that objects of the class will have. To define a class in Jython, we use the class keyword followed by the class name.

class MyClass:
    # Class definition goes here

Objects in Jython

An object is an instance of a class. It represents a specific entity that has its own state and behavior. To create an object of a class in Jython, we call the class name followed by parentheses.

my_object = MyClass()

Class Variables and Instance Variables

In Jython, class variables are variables that are shared by all objects of a class. They are defined inside the class but outside any methods. Class variables can be accessed using the class name.

class MyClass:
    class_variable = 10

    def method(self):
        print(MyClass.class_variable)

Instance variables, on the other hand, are unique to each object of a class. They are defined inside the class methods and are accessed using the self keyword.

class MyClass:
    def __init__(self, instance_variable):
        self.instance_variable = instance_variable

    def method(self):
        print(self.instance_variable)

Methods in Jython

In Jython, methods are functions defined inside a class. They define the behavior of the objects of the class. There are two types of methods in Jython: instance methods and class methods.

Instance methods are methods that are called on objects of a class. They can access and modify the instance variables of the object.

class MyClass:
    def instance_method(self):
        # Code goes here

Class methods are methods that are called on the class itself rather than on an object. They are defined using the @classmethod decorator.

class MyClass:
    @classmethod
    def class_method(cls):
        # Code goes here

Conclusion

In this blog post, we introduced the concept of classes and objects in Jython. We learned how to define a class, create objects, and access their variables and methods. Understanding classes and objects is essential for writing modular and reusable code in Jython.

#Jython #classes