What is the purpose of the Python `self` keyword in class methods?

The self keyword in Python is crucial because it refers to the instance of the class in which a method is being called. This allows methods to access attributes and other methods associated with the specific instance of the class. When you define a method within a class, the first parameter traditionally named self acts as a reference to the current object - that is, the instance that invokes the method.

For example, if you have a class Car and an instance of that class called my_car, when you call a method like my_car.start_engine(), within that method, self allows you to access properties like self.color or methods like self.turn(), providing a way to manipulate or retrieve instance-specific data.

In summary, self is essential for instance-level access to attributes and methods, ensuring that the behavior of the methods operates on the data specific to the object instance creating a clear distinction between class-level behavior and instance-level behavior.