Python is a powerful and flexible language that goes beyond just writing code. One of the unique features of Python is the ability to create your own specialized languages, called Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs). And decorators are a key tool for building these custom languages.
In this article, we’ll explore how decorators work and how you can use them to create your own mini-languages tailored to your specific needs. By the end, you’ll have a new superpower in your Python toolkit.
What are Decorators?
Decorators are a way to modify the behavior of a function without changing the function’s source code. They work by “wrapping” a function with additional functionality.
Here’s a simple example:
def uppercase(func):
def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
result = func(*args, **kwargs)
return result.upper()
return wrapper
@uppercase
def say_hello(name):
return f"hello, {name}"
print(say_hello("alice")) # Output: HELLO, ALICEIn this code, the uppercase function is a decorator. It takes a function as input, adds some new behavior (converting the output to uppercase), and returns a new function.
