Composition in Python in Python

class Car:
    def __init__(self):
        self._engine = Engine()   # a Car has an Engine

    def start(self):
        self._engine.start()   # the Car asks its Engine

Full lesson:

Things are often made of other things. A car has an engine. A phone has a battery.

Code works the same way. One class keeps an object of another class in a field. This is called composition.

The outer object passes some work on to its part. Car's start just calls the engine's start. This is called delegation.

Has-a or is-a?

Inheritance is for "is a". A Puppy is a Dog, so Puppy inherits from Dog. A Car is not an Engine. With class Car(Engine), every engine method would become a car method. A car has an engine, so Car keeps one in a field. It passes on only what it chooses, like start.

Why it helps

• The engine stays private. Code outside talks to the car, never to the engine.
• Each class does one job. Engine knows how to start. Car knows its name and how to drive.
• A part can be replaced. A car with a new engine is still the same car.

The leading underscore in _engine marks the field private, as in Access Modifiers.

Your task

The Engine class is ready. Car already has a name and a drive method.

Give Car a private Engine field. Create the engine in __init__.

Then write Car's start method. It calls the engine's start.

The program makes a car named "Rocket". It starts the car, then drives it.

Expected output:

Engine started
Rocket is driving