How to define a class in python

Question

What is __init__ () function while declaring a class in python?

Answer 1

Following is a code to define a class in python:

class Parent:       

      def __init__(self, fname, lname):

          self.firstname = fname           

          self.lastname = lname          

      def view(self):           

          print(self.firstname , self.lastname)

class Child(Parent):

     def __init__(self, fname, lname):

         parent.__init__(self, fname, lname)          

         self.age = "20"

     def view(self):

         print(self.firstname , self.lastname , self.age)

ob = Child("Guido" , "Rossum")

ob.view()

__init__() function is called everytime a class is being used to make an object. In this Program, the child class init function overrides the parent class init function.   

Answer 2

Class use the special word  class for declaration. Inside the class __init__() helps to define local variable for class.