Python Descriptors : Understanding and Using the Descriptor Protocol Create descriptors and see ideas and examples of how to use descriptors effectively. In this short book you’ll explore descriptors in general with a deep explanation of what descriptors are how they work and how theyre used. Once you understand the simplicity of the descriptor protocol the author delves into using and creating descriptors in practice with plenty of tips patterns and real world guidance. Because descriptors are inherently flexible you’ll work with multiple examples illustrating how to best take advantage of them. This second edition includes additions throughout including new material covering the set_name_() descriptors new and improved flowcharts to explain the inner workings of descriptors and a completely new chapter to address instance level attributes the easiest way to create descriptors correctly the first time. Although brief Python Descriptors is a comprehensive guide to creating Python descriptors including a pip install able library called descriptor_tools which was written alongside this book and is an open source library on GitHub. After reading this book you will have a solid understanding of how descriptors work and the techniques to avoid the big gotchas associated with working with them. You will: Discover descriptor protocols Master attribute access and how it applies to descriptors Build your own descriptors Use descriptors to store attributes Create read only descriptors Explore the descriptor classes Apply the other uses of descriptors Part I: About Descriptors Chapter 1: What Is a Descriptor Chapter 2: The Descriptor Protocol Chapter 3: What Are Descriptors Good For Chapter 4: Descriptors in the Standard Library Chapter 5: Attribute Access and Descriptors Part II: Making Descriptors Chapter 6: Which Methods Are Needed Chapter 7: Storing the Attributes Chapter 8: Read Only Descriptors Chapter 9: Writing __delete__() Chapter 10: Descriptors are Classes To Chapter 11: Reusing the Wheel Chapter 12: Instance Level Descriptors Chapter 13: Other Uses of Descriptors in the World