[Tutor] self parameter

[Walter Vannini]

Here's one approach to understanding what's going on.
Read documentation, look at examples, and then try rewriting the
problem code in ways that SHOULD be equivalent.
Here's my attempt at a rewrite of the original code:

class now:
    def __init__(self):
        localfloat = time.time() 
        # localfloat references the float returned by time.time()
        localtuple = time.localtime(localfloat) 
        # localtuple references a 9 element tuple
        # returned by time.localtime
        self.t = localfloat 
        # create an attribute t that references the
        # same float referenced by localfloat
        (self.year, self.month, self.day, self.hour, self.minute, \
        self.second, self.dow, self.doy, self.dst) \
            = localtuple 
        # 9 new attributes are created, and assigned values
        # via the 9 element tuple returned by time.localtime

By simply getting rid of the local variables
localfloat and localtuple, and rewriting the very explicit
"(a,b) = c" assignment of self.year, self.month, etc
as "a,b = c", you get the original method.
Also, "_init_" should probably be changed to "__init__".

Hope that helps,

Walter.
	
> I am trying to understand how special methods work.
> Ex:
> class now:
> def _init_(self):
>     self.t = time.time()
>     self.year, \
>     self.month, \
>     self.day, \
>     self.hour, \
>     self.minute, \
>     self.second, \
>     self.dow, \
>     self.doy, \
>     self.dst = time.localtime(self.t)
> I don't know if I got it right, but I think the function is passing
> data to each variable, t; year; month; etc.  It's unpacking the
> tuple.  I'm not sure I understand how this bit of code is working.
> The self arguement is allowing the function to pass data right?
> I'd much appreciate any assistance.
> -Cameron