Initializing object variables - a Java approach, a Python approach? -

i have object needs have 4-5 values passed it. illustrate:

class swoosh():     spam = ''     eggs = ''     swallow = ''     coconut = ''      [... methods ...] 

right now, way use swoosh is:

swoosh = swoosh() swoosh.set_spam('spam!') swoosh.set_eggs('eggs!') swoosh.set_swallow('swallow!') swoosh.set_coconut('migrated.') 

i'm having doubts whether pythonic or java influence. or necessary? also, in case you're wondering why i'm using setters instead of accessing object variables - basic validation has done there, hence set_ methods.

i reckon provide different way initialize swoosh - provide __init__() accept dict/list?

anyway, i'm looking help/advice more experienced stuff.

thanks in advance input on this.

firstly you're using old style classes. really, really should using new style classes inherit object:

class swoosh(object): 

defining __init__ method takes arguments pythonic way of doing things:

def __init__(self,spam,eggs,swallow,coconut):     self.spam = spam     self.eggs = eggs     self.swallow = swallow     self.coconut = coconut 

this allow do:

s = swoosh('spam!','eggs','swallow','migrated') 

like other python function __init__ method can have default values arguments, e.g.

def __init__(self,spam,eggs,swallow,coconut='migrated.'):         self.spam = spam         self.eggs = eggs         self.swallow = swallow         self.coconut = coconut 

if want validate attributes they're set should use standard property attributes rather creating own setters. if way can use myobject.spam in code ordinary attribute setter method still run.

for example:

@property def spam(self):     """i'm 'spam' property."""     return self._spam  @spam.setter def spam(self, value):     if not value.endswith("!"):         raise valueerror("spam must end !")     # store value in "private" _spam attribute     self._spam = value  @spam.deleter def spam(self):     del self._spam 

note: property not work unless you're using new-style classes described above.

in example have:

class swoosh():     spam = ''     eggs = ''     swallow = ''     coconut = '' 

this presented quick way of setting defaults attributes object. it's fine need understand happening. what's going on you're setting attributes on class. if object doesn't have attribute python see if it's defined on class , return value there (as want methods).

if want set default values object attributes you're better off setting default values arguments in __init__ described above rather using class attributes.