Python - Built in Functions Part 5: Object Inspection and Management Functions

These functions provide information about objects and manage execution flow.

Common Functions:

type(): Returns the type of an object.

id(): Returns the unique identifier of an object.

isinstance(): Checks if an object is an instance of a specific class.

dir(): Lists the attributes and methods of an object.

help(): Displays the documentation for a function or object.

Examples:

Check object type:

num = 42

print(type(num))  # Output: <class 'int'>

Inspect object methods:

print(dir(str))  # Lists all methods for the `str` class.

Get help on a function:

help(len)  # Displays the documentation for the `len` function.

Explanation:

Inspection and management functions are crucial for debugging and understanding objects. For instance, type() helps determine the nature of a variable, while dir() and help() provide insights into available methods and their usage, aiding in better programming practices.