__repr__ and __eq__ in Python

Teaching objects to print themselves and compare by value.

class Card:
    def __init__(self, rank, suit):
        self.rank = rank
        self.suit = suit

    def __repr__(self):
        return f"Card({self.rank!r}, {self.suit!r})"

    def __eq__(self, other):
        return (self.rank, self.suit) == (other.rank, other.suit)


ace = Card("A", "spades")
same = Card("A", "spades")
matches = ace == same

How it works

1. __repr__ returns code-like text for debugging.
2. !r inside the f-string quotes the fields properly.
3. __eq__ compares field tuples, so equal cards match.

Keywords and builtins used here

• Card
• class
• def
• return
• self

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Type this snippet

Step 4 of 5 in Classes, step 42 of 72 in Language basics.

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