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Metaprogramming in Python
Metaprogramming in Python refers to the concept of writing code that manipulates code. It allows you to modify or generate code at runtime, enabling dynamic creation or customization of classes and functions. This powerful feature can make your programs more flexible and reduce code duplication. Here’s an example to illustrate metaprogramming in Python:
Example: Using Decorators for Metaprogramming
A common metaprogramming technique in Python involves the use of decorators. Decorators allow you to modify the behavior of a function or method. They are a clear example of how Python supports metaprogramming by allowing runtime modifications of code.
def my_decorator(func):
def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
print("Something is happening before the function is called.")
result = func(*args, **kwargs)
print("Something is happening after the function is called.")
return result
return wrapper
@my_decorator
def say_hello(name):
print(f"Hello, {name}!")
say_hello("Alice")
In this example, my_decorator
is a function that takes another function (func
) as its argument and defines a nested function (wrapper
). The wrapper
function adds some behavior (printing messages) before and after calling func
. The decorator is applied to say_hello
using the @my_decorator
…