What is the function of a constructor in a Python class?

The function of a constructor in a Python class is to instantiate an object. When you define a constructor in a class using the __init__ method, it is automatically called when a new object of that class is created. This allows you to initialize the attributes of the object with specific values at the time of its creation.

For instance, if you have a class representing a car, the constructor can set its initial properties such as make, model, and year when creating a new car object. This process ensures that each object starts with a defined state, which is essential for using object-oriented programming effectively.

While methods are created within the class itself and can be defined after instantiation, and destructors are concerned with cleaning up resources when an object is no longer needed, the primary role of the constructor is specifically focused on initializing new instances. Validation of class variables is also typically done through other methods rather than directly within the constructor.