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Python Object-Oriented Python Inheritance Multiple Superclasses

Posted by jaesonshin
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jaesonshin
Python Development Techdegree Graduate 9,939 Points

Is keyword argument necessary? (name="")

Hey people,

On my Workspace, even without changing 'name' to keyword attribute, it seems to work if I just feed the 'Thief()' with with the parameter name='kenneth'. Can I use a positional argument like a keyword argument? Or, am I missing something?? 

class Character:
    def __init__(self, name, **kwargs):
        self.name = name

        for key, value in kwargs.items():
            setattr(self, key, value)

class Thief(Agile, Sneaky, Character):

ken = Thief(name = 'ken', sneaky = False)

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,275 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,275 Points

Since "name" is explicitly listed in the arguments, it is positional. And yes, you can provide the key along with the value when you call the function, but it's not necessary as long as all positional arguments are supplied first and in the correct order.

jaesonshin
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jaesonshin
Python Development Techdegree Graduate 9,939 Points

Hi Steven, Thanks for the answer! I understand what you said, but in the video, the instructor says that for the 'class Character' the parameter 'name' has to be changed to 'name="" ', and I am wondering what is the purpose of that. Could you maybe explain?

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,275 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,275 Points

Changing it to a keyword argument simplifies the "super" calls of derived classes, and makes it "loosely coupled code".