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Demystifying Python’s __slots__: A Guide to Memory Efficiency and Faster Code
When writing Python classes, most developers stick to the tried-and-true method of defining attributes dynamically. It’s simple, flexible, and gets the job done. However, if you’re working with performance-critical applications or need to manage memory in a resource-constrained environment, there’s a lesser-known feature of Python that can save the day: __slots__.
In this post, we’ll explore what __slots__ is, why it exists, and how it can significantly boost your code’s efficiency.
What is __slots__?
By default, Python stores an object’s attributes in a special data structure called a dictionary (specifically, __dict__). This makes attribute access and assignment very dynamic but comes at a cost:
- Dictionaries require a significant amount of memory.
- Attribute access and assignment are slightly slower because of the overhead of working with dictionaries.
Enter __slots__. By defining a __slots__ attribute in your class, you can explicitly declare which attributes are allowed for instances of that class. This eliminates the need for the __dict__ and saves memory.
Why Use __slots__?
- Reduced Memory Usage:
By removing…
