What is the purpose of __init__?
PICTURE THIS: OOP PILLARS
Simple meaning
__init__ is the instance initializer that runs after the object is created.
WHY — OOP instead of guessing?
Why interviewers care about OOP:
who only read docs from people who shipped.
and tied to Python work.
Name the idea, why it exists, then one short example.
End with when you use it and one common pitfall.
STEPS — What happens step by step?
Before you speak the answer, walk the interviewer through these steps:
- 1__init__ is the instance
initializer that runs after the object is created.
- 2It typically assigns self.attributes
from constructor arguments.
- 3How it works
It should return None
- 4Give an example
returning another value raises TypeError.
- 5Common mistake
What juniors usually get wrong.
- 6Close
When you pick this over the alternative.
EXAMPLE — See it in action
Here's a short line you can speak, broken into clear beats:
Note: Adapt this scaffold to your own project — keep it under 60–90 seconds.
Key takeaway
__init__ is the instance initializer that runs after the object is created. It typically assigns self.attributes from constructor arguments.