__init__ Method

Data Structures and Algorithms with Object-Oriented Design Patterns in Python

`init` Method

The __init__ method of a class is special. The purpose of a __init__ method is to initialize an object. The __init__ method is invoked whenever a new instance of a class is created. The __init__ method of the Complex class is defined in Program .

Consider the following statement:

i = Complex(0, 1)

The effect of this statement is equivalent to the following sequence of statements:

c = object.__new__(Complex)
Complex.__init__(c, 0, 1)

The __new__ method of the built-in object class is called to create a new object instance. Then __init__ method of the Complex class is called to initialize that instance.