CODE EXAMPLE FOR PYTHON

python dataclass

# Standard way of writing a simple class
class Person1:
# Type hinting not required
    def __init__(self, name: str, age: int, num_children=0):
        self.name = name
        self.age = age
        self.num_children = num_children

    def __repr__(self):
        return f'My name is {self.name}, I am {self.age} years old, and I have {self.num_children} children'

      
from dataclasses import dataclass


# A class using data classes. Dataclasses are simpler but can't support operations during initialization
@dataclass()
class Person2:
    """ This class handles the values related to a person. """
    name: str  # Indicating types is required
    age: int
    num_children = 0  # Default values don't require an indication of a type

    def __repr__(self):
        return f'My name is {self.name}, I am {self.age} years old, and I have {self.num_children} children'

# Both classes (Person1 and Person2) achieve the same thing but require different code to do it

person1 = Person1('Joe', 28, 2)
print(person1)
# Result: My name is Joe, I am 28 years old, and I have 2 children

person2 = Person2('Emma', 19)
print(person2)
# Result: My name is Emma, I am 19 years old, and I have 0 children