What are magic methods?

Python is a very flexible programming language, and the magic methods provide this flexibility.

Magic Methods are methods with specific syntax that provide functionality for different operations in Python.

For example:


python

The a + b operator invokes the __add__() magic method of the first object (a.__add__(b)). In Python, operators like + call the corresponding magic methods of the objects involved. The __init__ magic method is called when an instance of a class is created.

Note

Magic methods have a specific syntax where the method name is enclosed in double underscores (__) at start and end of method name.

Let's take a look at an example implementation of the __add__ magic method:


              12345678910111213
            
class Road:
    def __init__(self, length):
        self.length = length

    def __add__(self, other_road):
        return Road(self.length + other_road.length)

road_1 = Road(20)
road_2 = Road(30)
road_3 = road_1 + road_2  # road_3 = road_1.__add__(road_2)

print(type(road_3))
print(road_3.length)

Everything was clear?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 5. Chapter 1

Ask AI

Ask anything or try one of the suggested questions to begin our chat

Course Content

In-Depth Python OOP