__repr__ and __str__

Through the __str__ method we can change the format of the object which we get upon inspecting and printing, as per below example 

class Device:

def __init__(self):

self.username = "root"

self.ip = "192.168.120.10"

self.device = "Linux"

def __repr__(self):

"""

called upon inspect

"""

return f"Test"

def __str__(self):

"""Called upon calling a print upon the object"""

return f"{self.device}/{self.username}@{self.ip}

class RawDevice:

def __init__(self):

pass

if __name__ == "__main__":

print(RawDevice())

print(Device())

$python3 pythonSpecials.py <__main__.RawDevice object at 0x103fab5f8> Linux/root@192.168.120.10

In the example above, when we print an object we get something like  

<__main__.RawDevice object at 0x103fab5f8>

which is little not informative, but upon modifying it in the Device, it gives us a nice view of it.

The __repr__ method is call when the object is inspected on the console, however the __str__ is called upon calling print on it.