__repr__ vs __str__

Question

__repr__ vs __str__

Accepted Answer

When you call repr(obj) or inspect an object in a REPL, Python calls __repr__. When you call str(obj) or print(obj), Python calls __str__, falling back to __repr__ if __str__ is not defined. A good __repr__ lets you reconstruct the object: Point(x=1, y=2). A good __str__ just describes it clearly: '(1, 2)'. If you only implement one, implement __repr__ - it covers both cases.