Tutorial: Object Oriented Programming in Python – Part 4

This is the continuation of the Python OOP tutorial. Today I describe how to change an attribute in a simple Vehicle class:

class Vehicle:

    def __init__(self, speed):
        self.speed = speed
        print("You have just created a vehicle.")

    def accelerate(self,x):
        self.speed = self.speed + x

    def brake(self,x):
        self.speed = self.speed - x

    def status(self):
        print("The speed of the vehicle is", self.speed, end=" km/h.")

Save the code in a file vehicle.py and run it (e.g. in IDLE by pressing F5).

>>> v = Vehicle(50)
You have just created a vehicle.
>>> v.status()
The speed of the vehicle is 50 km/h.
>>> v.accelerate(20)
>>> v.status()
The speed of the vehicle is 70 km/h.
>>> v.brake(40)
>>> v.status()
The speed of the vehicle is 30 km/h.

Exercise:
a) The class has a flaw. If you type v.brake(40) once again the speed will be -10 km/h. Change the class in such a way that the speed cannot become negative after braking.

b) Another flaw is the missing maximum speed. Introduce an attribute maxSpeed in the __init__() method. Ensure that the maximum speed cannot be exceeded.

c) Test your new class with the following commands in the Python-Shell:

v = Vehicle(50, 200) #  where 200 is the maximum speed
v.status()

v.accelerate(120)
v.status()

v.accelerate(100)
v.status()

v.break(80)
v.status()

v.break(70)
v.status()

v.break(60)
v.status()

Solution:

class Vehicle:

    def __init__(self, speed, maxSpeed):
        self.speed = speed
        self.maxSpeed = maxSpeed
        print("You have just created a vehicle.")

    def accelerate(self,x):
        self.speed = self.speed + x
        if(self.speed > self.maxSpeed):
            self.speed = self.maxSpeed

    def brake(self,x):
        self.speed = self.speed - x
        if(self.speed < 0):
            self.speed = 0

    def status(self):
        print("The speed of the vehicle is", self.speed, end=" km/h.")

In order to prevent the wrong velocities I included two if statements. Save the code in a file vehicle.py and run it (e.g. in IDLE by pressing F5).

>>> v = Vehicle(50,200)
You have just created a vehicle.
>>> v.status()
The speed of the vehicle is 50 km/h.
>>> v.accelerate(120)
>>> v.status()
The speed of the vehicle is 170 km/h.
>>> v.accelerate(100)
>>> v.status()
The speed of the vehicle is 200 km/h.
>>> v.brake(80)
>>> v.status()
The speed of the vehicle is 120 km/h.
>>> v.brake(70)
>>> v.status()
The speed of the vehicle is 50 km/h.
>>> v.brake(60)
>>> v.status()
The speed of the vehicle is 0 km/h.
>>>