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Python Object-Oriented Python (retired) Objects __init__

Posted by Kathryn Klarich
Kathryn Klarich
4,622 Points

use of "self"

I'm confused as to what exactly self is, and when/why we need to use it. For example, in this code, why do we need to put it in the parentheses and then again in the lines below? 

def __init__(self, **kwargs):
    self.hit_points = kwargs.get('hit_points', 1)
    self.weapon = kwargs.get('weapon', 'sword')
    self.color = kwargs.get('color', 'yellow')
    self.sound = kwargs.get('sound', 'roar')

1 Answer

Steven Turturo
Steven Turturo
6,890 Points
Steven Turturo
Steven Turturo
6,890 Points

self is in reference to an instance of a Class. Think of it as signing up for a website and you pass on your information into a sign-up form (you are creating an instance of yourSELF on the web). In the form for fields you pass on self.first_name, self.last_name, self.email as you initialize the instance of the class. You need to pass it into the init method in order to access and set the variables to the kwargs. I hope my very broken explanation helps.

Kathryn Klarich
Kathryn Klarich
4,622 Points

thanks so much! that's a really helpful analogy.

Kathryn

john larson
john larson
16,594 Points

Steven I have to agree, a very nice explanation.